What is the meaning of Easter? - Carlos Sandoval (2024)

Easter is associated with Christianity and to a pagan Spring festival that dates back long before Christ.

The feast day of Easter was first a pagan holiday of renewal and rebirth. Honored in the early spring, it praised the pagan goddess of fertility and spring known as ‘Ostara’, ‘Eastre’ or ‘Eostre’. The word “Easter” finds its etymology from the goddess’s name. The Germanic folk, known as the Teutons, worshiped pagan gods and goddesses and it’s believed that the origin of the Easter Bunny, hares and eggs can be dated back to the 13th century in Germany. Due to its prolific breeding tendencies, the rabbit became a symbol for Eostra. Eggs on the other hand were used as fertility symbols since antiquity. Originating among German Lutherans, the “Easter Hare” originally played the role of a judge, evaluating whether children were good or disobedient in behavior at the start of the season of Eastertide. As a result, the Easter Bunny would come, just as Santa Claus would, bearing baskets filled with candy, chocolate, colored eggs, and such for the children.

In A.D. 325, the Emperor Constantine, who favored Christianity, convened a meeting of Christian leaders. The most fateful of its decisions was about the status of Christ, whom the council recognized as “fully human and fully divine.” Since then, Easter is much more meaningful and sacred for Christianity. Easter Sunday is a major if not one of the most important Christian holidays, and it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his death. It is the confirmation that Jesus’ death was a sacrifice for the sins of others, but his resurrection represents something even more powerful: the potential for rebirth, salvation, and renewal of faith. That is why Easter celebrations are preceded by Lent (a time of abstinence and penance), the Easter Vigil (when new believers are baptized), and, sometimes, the sacrament of confession. After a season of shedding bad habits and resisting temptations, Easter is the perfect opportunity for Christians to recommit to their beliefs.

Regardless of how you celebrate this holiday, all of us at Carlos E Sandoval, PA wish you and your family a truly blessed and special Easter!