“Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” (John 20:17)
Easter Sunday is the most important date on the Christian calendar. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the rocky entombment of death where he lay for three days and three nights and highlights the victory of eternal life over the mortality of the flesh. The resurrection of Christ is the foundation for the Christian faith.
The festival of Easter is marked by traditions that are a treat in color and taste. Brightly colored and edible Easter eggs and Easter bunnies are exchanged within families and between relatives and friends while delicious Hot-cross buns form a staple delicacy in most Christian homes during the Easter weekend particularly on Good Friday.
The White House Easter Egg Roll
Easter Eggs, though rooted in Pagan history, have traditionally been associated with the festival of Easter for their symbolism in depicting rebirth and renewal as represented by the emergence of Easter Chickens from within the egg-shells.
Opening the gates of the White House South Lawns to the public on Easter Monday each year for the White House Easter Egg Roll is a popular White House tradition. Children, accompanied by adult guardians, spark a riot of color and joy as they spread across the lawns in colorful attire, wielding Easter bunnies, egg-baskets, etc. In 2010, apart from the exciting egg-rolling competitions, children were also treated to a reading by President Obama from Dr.Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Hams” and a rendition of the theme song from Looney Tunes by the U.S. Marine Band.
Hot-cross Buns on Good Friday
Hot-cross buns are special breads traditionally eaten on Good Friday. Round in shape and risen, they are made from flour, spices, sugar, dried fruit and dairy produce. A distinguishing feature of a hot-cross bun is the tiny cross in the center of the top. The cross represents the crucifixion of Christ. Queen Elizabeth I is believed to have banned the production of these buns except on Good Friday, owing to its close proximity to religion.
The popular rhyme, “'One a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns”, is believed to have originated in the 18th century, from the selling of these buns.
A unique tradition surrounding the Hot-cross bun revolves around the Widow’s Son Public House in East London. Legend has it that an old-widow occupied the private home that once stood on the site of the pub. Her only son is believed to have asked her to bake him a Hot-cross bun prior to his return home from the navy. Unfortunately, he never did make it back home and the widow, in remembrance of him, religiously baked a Hot-cross bun every Good Friday. The Widow’s Son Public House continues this Good Friday tradition by hanging a freshly baked bun over the bar.
The Sprightly Easter Bunny
The popular Easter Rabbit, representing fertility, is believed to have originally been a hare. The rabbit, being more common and identifiable in most countries around the world, replaced the hare. Its symbolic attachment to the festival of Easter was first established in 6th century German writings and German legend has it that a poor woman hid colored eggs in a nest for her children to find. As they approached the nest to retrieve the eggs, they spotted a hare hopping away and concluded that it was the hare that placed the eggs there. This story might also have a lot to do with the popular Easter tradition of Easter Egg treasure-hunting.
It is true that Easter traditions have created avenues for markets to commercially exploit the festival. While this is unfortunate, it is up to the faithful to highlight the spiritual message that makes Easter the pillar of Christian belief.
Sources
- The Holy Bible (King James Version)
- National Archives (Prologue Magazine) – Accessed 27th February, 2011
- CBS News (“White House Easter Egg Roll 2010: Looney Tunes and Green Eggs and Ham”) – Accessed 27th February, 2011
- The Sunday Times (“Great British Bites: hot cross buns” by Laura Mason) – Accessed 27th February, 2011
- Heritage and History (Hot cross buns) – Accessed 27th February, 2011
- BBC (The Easter Bunny) – Accessed 27th February, 2011
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