The Celebration of Resurrection and Rebirth
Whether you are waking up for a solemn Sunrise Service or waking up to bite the ears off a chocolate bunny, Easter is the anchor of the spring season. It is a holiday of profound theological weight that comfortably shares the stage with pastel colors and marshmallow chicks.
What is Easter?
For Christians, Easter (or Pascha) is the most important holiday of the year, celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion. It marks the end of Lent (a 40-day period of fasting and penance) and the victory of life over death.
However, many of the holiday's symbols—eggs, rabbits, and the name "Easter" itself—have roots in pre-Christian traditions. The name is widely believed to stem from Eostre, an ancient Germanic goddess of spring and dawn. The egg and the hare were ancient symbols of fertility and new life, perfectly thematically aligned with the concept of resurrection.
When is it?
Easter is a "moveable feast," meaning its date changes every year. It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the Spring Equinox.
In 2026: It is celebrated on April 5.
How is it Celebrated?
The day is divided between the sacred and the sweet:
1. Religious Observance Churches often hold Sunrise Services to mimic the biblical account of the women finding the empty tomb at dawn. The greeting "He is Risen" is traditionally answered with "He is Risen Indeed." It is a day of high liturgical fashion (Easter bonnets) and joyous hymns.
2. The Easter Bunny & Egg Hunts In the secular world, the Easter Bunny (a folkloric figure originally from German Lutherans) visits homes to leave baskets of candy and hide decorated eggs for children to find.
Fun Fact: The tradition of the "Easter Basket" mimics a bird’s nest to hold the eggs.
3. The Feast Easter dinner is a major event.
Ham: Historically, pigs were slaughtered in the fall and cured over winter; by spring, the ham was ready to eat.
Lamb: Represents Jesus as the "Lamb of God" (and connects to the Jewish Passover).
Hot Cross Buns: Spiced sweet buns marked with a cross, traditionally eaten on Good Friday or Easter weekend.
Easter is the definitive "welcome to spring" celebration—a day where the themes of faith, blooming nature, and family gathering all intersect.
