Easter is a religious holiday. It is also a celebration of spring. Easter is on a different Sunday every year. But it is always in March or April. Which Sunday? It is on the first Sunday after the full moon on or after March 21 (March 21 is the first day of spring.)
People have celebrated spring for thousands of years. The word “Easter” comes from the name of the ancient goddess of spring and light. In the spring, flowers bloom and trees become green. The earth wears new clothes. Many people also wear new clothes on Easter Sunday.
Eggs and rabbits are signs of spring and new life. Many children believe in the Easter Bunny. This imaginary rabbit visits many homes the night before Easter. He fills children’s Easter baskets with candy and small gifts.
The Easter Bunny also brings Easter eggs. Some of these eggs are hard-boiled, colorful ones. Others are chocolate. Some eggs are plastic with small treats inside. The Easter Bunny hides eggs in the house or outside in the yard. On Easter morning, children look for eggs from the Easter Bunny.
Jelly beans are also popular Easter treats. Over 15 billion of these egg-shaped candies were eaten in 1998. If they were lined up end to end, they would circle the earth nearly three times!
For millions of Christians, Easter is an important religious holiday. Two days before Easter is Good Friday. Christians believe Jesus Christ died on this day. God raised him from the dead on Easter Sunday. Easter is a very joyful holiday for Christians. Many people go to church on Easter.
Easter has roots deeper than any one belief. It is a mix of spring traditions. Easter reminds us that the cold of winter and death will pass. For some, Easter is about the rebirth of life in spring. For others, it is about the rebirth of Christ.