Easter is a joyous occasion that comes after the mourning period of Lent that proceeds to Good Friday and ends with Easter. Hence, the celebrations are doubled and enthusiasm is much more than one can imagine. It is very natural that warm wishes and gifts are exchanged at this festival and the feasts adorn the day. It connects the family members together to cherish the happy moments and the beautiful gift of life. However, owing to career aspirations, many individuals remain away from their close ones. They are unable to participate in the celebrations but such is the compassion of Easter that they send Easter gifts and warm wishes to their near and dear ones.
Easter is celebrated for two days which are Sundays and Mondays. But biblically Easter is celebrated on Sunday which is the first day of the month. There are many reasons and interpretations which state the reason why Easter is celebrated on Sunday.
The Bible states that Jesus Christ was crucified on the day of Friday in the month of Nisan according to the Jewish calendar. Before the crucifixion, on Thursday which is also called the holy Thursday on the ‘Last Supper’ table he prophecized that he will be crucified and come back to life on Sunday. As Christ said Judas betrayed him and he was crucified on the cross on Friday the reason why it is called Good Friday. On the third day which was Sunday, Christ was resurrected and it is called Easter Sunday. The name Easter comes from the Latin word Eaostre or Eaostrae, which means the Anglo-Saxon goddess of Spring and Fertility. Easter follows the Lunar Cycle the first full moon of the spring equinox. This is ritualistically the beginning of a new season and the end of the period of Lent and Easter Triduum. There is also an assumption that as it is stated in the Book of Genesis God created the world and rested on the day of Sunday; so Christ chose Sunday to come back from the dead.
As the festival has so much significance the preparations for this day are elaborate. Churches and houses are decorated with flowers and candles are burnt on the Altars. People wear new clothes and attend churches and participate in mass. Feasts are organized and families get together to spend time with each other. The feasts include traditional and tasty dishes that the people taste for the first time after the 40 days of Lent. Dishes like cakes, sweets, and soft Pesto Pretzels are some of the snacks that make up the feast. Many games are organized and people exchange gifts with each other. Games like Easter egg decorating, Easter egg hiding, and hunting are some games that are in demand for the occasion. The primary point of attraction is the hot cross buns and Easter eggs. The Easter eggs are made with chocolates that sum up the celebrations of Easter beautifully.
The festival of Easter lights hopes in the hearts of every people to live with compassion. Hence, Easter is a day of significance that has a history to it and now we know why it is celebrated on Sunday.
