Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is considered the most important event in Christianity and is a time of renewal, hope, and new beginnings. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it between March 22nd and April 25th every year.
It's a celebration that ushers in the arrival of spring and a season of growth.
The holiday is preceded by the season of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. Good Friday, which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus, occurs two days before Easter Sunday.
Easter Sunday itself is typically marked by special church services, including the sunrise service, which commemorates the discovery of Jesus' empty tomb.
Many Christians also participate in Easter egg hunts, symbolizing the empty tomb, and enjoy festive meals with family and friends. Additionally, various traditions and customs, such as the Easter bunny and Easter baskets, have become associated with the holiday over time.
Vocabulary:
• Resurrection: The Christian belief in Jesus Christ rising from the dead after his crucifixion.
• Holy Week: The week leading up to Easter Sunday, commemorating the events of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.
• Easter egg: A decorated or dyed egg, often symbolizing new life and resurrection, commonly associated with Easter celebrations.
• Lent: A period of 40 days before Easter Sunday, marked by fasting, prayer, and penance in preparation for Easter.
• Palm Sunday: The Sunday before Easter, commemorating Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, marked by the distribution of palm branches.
• Hot Cross Buns: Spiced sweet buns marked with a cross on top, traditionally eaten on Good Friday and during the Easter season.
• Easter lily: A white, trumpet-shaped flower often associated with Easter, symbolizing purity, renewal, and the resurrection of Jesus.
• Easter basket: A basket filled with candy, toys, or other gifts, traditionally given to children on Easter Sunday as part of the holiday celebration.