History of Easter. Acts 12: 4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending.

History of Easter

• Acts 12: 4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

• History of Easter Eggs– No Easter without eggs– Early civilizations: Persians, Hindus, and

Egyptians• Belief that the world began as an egg• Yolk as sun and remains as earth

– Why eggs?• Civilizations realized the egg was the

beginning of life• Life was renewed and eggs were laid every

spring meaning the world was given hope• Egg as a symbol of pagan culture found their

way into Christianity: celebration of resurrection

• Honored symbol of new life especially for New Christians

• Egg Hunt– People was in egg hunt for survival– Over the time different groups of

children adopted a special day for egg hunt

– Prize for the most beautiful egg

• Colored Eggs– Orthodox Christians were probably the

first for colored eggs for egg hunt as well as teaching tool.

– Red paint represents the blood of Christ shed for our sins

– Throughout the times the eggshell became the canvas• Eggs were decorated with images of Jesus, His

disciples, Mary, Joseph, etc, especially in Eastern Europe in Dark & Middle Ages.

• In Germany in Middle Age the custom of giving green eggs before Good Friday became a tradition

– In Scandinavian countries and some of British Isles the children went from house to house begging for brightly colored eggs.• To receive the eggs the children must act out

Easter story called “pace egging” from Hebrew word “Pescah” (Passover). As time came it became known as “Peace eggs” representing the peace Christ could bring to each person’s life.

– In Medieval times eggs were on the list that couldn’t be eaten

– In during the Lent season for six weeks. Egg hunt for hard-boiled eggs began as hunting for treasures

• Baskets– At first hat or old sack was used for egg

hunt, but most were cracked eggs after bringing them home.

– Family used the basket to bring food to be blessed by the priest. Afterwards, the kids were allowed to use the baskets for egg hunt. The baskets were probably the first commercial successful exploitation of Easter.

• Churches– After breaking off form Catholics during

Martin Luther’s time New denominations felt that anything that had pagan roots would be removed from the church. Puritans banned Christmas and Easter. However, the tradition of egg hunt had been unknown for several hundred years

• The Comeback of Easter – In 1800’s egg hunt came back. While

Lincoln was the President, he oversaw the egg-rolling contest on the Capitol. This custom continues even today on Monday after Easter.

– Faberge eggs – more modern in egg decoration

• Purpose:– Easter eggs were adopted by Christians

to signify eternal life when they accept Jesus as their Savoir. We can teach a powerful lesson of faith using Easter eggs.

History of Easter BunnyNo connection occurs between the

bunny and any element of Christian faith– Oestre, pagan goddess from which

“Easter” may be derived. It played an important role in spring.

– Legend:• Oestre gave an audience to a bird. Oestre

had rabbit-like features. The bird asked to transform him into arabbit. It got its wish and became a rabbit the followingspring. It forgot what it was like

to be a bird except laying eggs. Oestre gathered the eggs and distributed to all the children of the world. This story was first to be known to connect rabbit and eggs.

• In Middle ages Easter egg hunt occurred in the meadows, or open fields. The rabbits often fled when the children hunt for hidden eggs. Eggs were often found in the same location where the rabbits just fled.

• In Germany Easter bunny was first appeared in stories. Edible rabbit were created there in 1800’s

• In 1800’s Dutch and German immigrants brought the Easter bunny to America as Oschter Haw, a large, white rabbit.

• To prepare his visit the children would make nests in the hay or bonnet in the barn where the bunny would leave his goodies. It is the spring equivalent of Santa Claus.

• Inspiration of the acceptance of the Easter Bunny :

– The Tale of Peter Rabbit– Bugs Bunny– Peter Cottontail sung by Gene Autry

– Although this furry symbol has noconnection to the events of the first Easter he opened up anopportunity for Christians to share the Gospel.