Comments on: How to Celebrate Easter

on 11/22/2005 It is very sad that most children think Easter is just about candy and rabbits. It pains me to see a holiday, that I celebrate for Jesus, used by people to make money by selling chocolate and eggs. People, wake up and see the true meaning behind the abused Christian holidays. If you have no idea about who Jesus is, then scrounge up about six bucks and go to WalMart and buy a bible. Read Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. I suggest spending about 27 dollars on a Compact New International Study Bible. It is worth the money. Jesus is my best friend, and I cannot live without him. When you read about him, you too, will find what you have been missing. God Bless.

on 8/8/2006 Easter is in the bible and not as a pagan holiday! You will find it at Acts 12:4, "... intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people." KJV
Actually it is found many times in scripture. It is the Aramaic word 'pscha' and is the same word as 'passover'. Believers rejoice in 'Easter' because of the reason as given in 1 Corinthians 5:7, "... For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: KJV

on 8/8/2006 Easter is a celebration of the Spring equinox. It was claimed by Christians around the time that Pagans discovered how wonderful it is to be Christian and not to be burned alive as a heretic. Rabbits, chicks, eggs, green grass, flowers and bright colors represent the prosperity the change of the seasons would bring to the village and the harvest.
This explains why so many are upset by how Jesus is represented in the holiday.

on 8/8/2006 Ostara is a Norse pagan goddess of fertility. From this ancient Germanic holy-day we get the tradition of coloring eggs, and bunnies--both symbols of fertility.

on 11/22/2005 This Easter Vigil Mass takes place on Saturday night and officially begins Easter in the Catholic Church. It is THE highlight and preeminent celebration of the church year. It begins with the lighting of the large Easter (Paschal) candle, usually done outside when it is dark (often about 7:30 or 8 p.m.). The candle is blessed, marked and lit from a big fire in front of the church. The whole church is in darkness. Lighting the candle symbolizes the Light of Christ come into the world. All participants get a small taper candle and the light is passed from the Easter candle to each person until all have received the light. The priest and altar servers and everyone else then go into the church which is in total darkness except for the light from the candles. Songs are sung, the Easter candle is dipped into the baptismal font, incense is used. When the "Gloria" is sung, bells are run and the lights are turned on. More songs are sung and 4-7 scripture readings read. This is a very special time for new Christians (often adults) to be Baptized, Confirmed and receive First Holy Communion. The priest goes through the church and sprinkles the entire congregation with holy water. Lots of singing during this Mass. The special intentions, or prayers of the faithful, are sung. It is a most joyous celebration. Expect to spend about 2 hours or so; but, it's well worth it for all the symbolism, scripture, music, and joy of the resurrection that the celebration is saturated with. You will really feel that you have celebrated Easter when you attend this Mass.