While I was growing up, celebrating Easter meant waking up to the goodies that the Easter Bunny left and then going to church in a new spring dress. It was the opportunity to color eggs and frantically search for the “prize eggs” that Grandma hid in her yard. As I have grown older, however, I have come to understand that even though these traditions are fun, celebrating Easter holds a much deeper meaning!
Easter is described by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a “Christian holiday celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. After Christ died on the cross, His body was placed in a sepulchre, where it remained, separated from His spirit, until His Resurrection, when His spirit and His body were reunited.”
Easter across the World
Though I have always celebrated Easter customary to the principles taught within my own religion, it is celebrated in different ways by Christians across the whole world, according to the Wycliffe Blog.
In the pacific islands, Easter traditions vary. For example, New Zealanders celebrate by eating hot cross buns. In Australia, rabbits are considered to be pests. Therefore, a rabbit-like animal called the Bilby, is used in place of the Easter bunny.
In South Africa, the Monday following Easter Sunday is known as “Family Day” — time set aside to spend with loved ones. Poland celebrates with a breakfast on Easter Sunday while the French gather together to make a giant omelet.
As for the United States, our celebrations include church services, egg dyeing, and eating a lot of sweets … like the whopping 2.6 billion dollars spent on Easter candy in 2018.
The Reason Christians Celebrate Easter
Though Christians across the world each celebrate the holiday differently, we all celebrate an event central to Christian religions: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stated, “With hosanna and hallelujah, we celebrate the living Jesus Christ at this season of continuing Restoration and Easter. With perfect love, our Savior assures us: ‘In me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’”
Later in his talk, he continued, “In both, we rejoice in the return of Jesus Christ. He lives—not only then, but now; not just for some, but for all. He came and comes to heal the brokenhearted, deliver the captives, recover sight to the blind, and set at liberty those who are bruised. That’s each of us. His redeeming promises apply, no matter our past, our present, or concerns for our future.”
No matter how or where you celebrate Easter this year, be sure to remember the true significance of the holiday while spending time with those that you love most!
– by Hailee Eyre
Feature image caption: Christians believe Jesus Christ was resurrected after being dead for 3 days and placed inside a tomb. This is what they celebrate on Easter. Courtesy the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Hailee Eyre – Panguitch
Hailee Eyre is a journalist at The Byway. She attended Southern Utah University in the fall and is pursuing a career in the medical field. Her favorite topics to write about are those that intend to inspire others, providing motivation as means to better yourself or the world around you. In her free time, Hailee loves to be outdoors, whether it be hunting, fishing, boating or hiking.
Hailee is currently serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Pennsylvania and New York Church History Sites Mission.