Easter 2019 is a day for celebration. Read more about this wonderful occasion and its significance.As we all know, Jesus was crucified on a Friday and put to rest. Three days later, the tomb where Jesus had been laid to rest was found empty. He had resurrected and come back to life.
Read more about
Easter Sunday and its celebrations here:
How was Jesus Crucified?
Jesus who proclaimed himself as the Son of God was crucified in the cruellest manner – something nobody could ever go through. As per Christianity, he died on the cross for the sins of humanity. Crucifixion was an ancient Roman method of killing someone. Even though Jesus was the son of God, the Heavenly Father allowed it to happen. It is said that he paid the penalty for all our sins.
Jesus who Resurrected
Can a dead person come alive? For normal humans, it is impossible. However, as we all know, Jesus was none other than the Son of
God. He was like God himself so nothing was impossible for him. He had performed so many miracles and gained a number of followers.
It was a reaffirmation of their faith for all those who had believed in him. He had been betrayed by his own people and yet he knew that he would rise from the dead. Unlike his betrayers,
Jesus had the power and blessings of the Almighty and his resurrection was a victory of good over evil.
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday is a festival and day of celebration. Three days after his burial, Jesus rose from the dead proving his greatness to the entire world. Easter Sunday always falls between 22nd March and 25th April. In some countries with a predominant Christian population, the following day is also a holiday known as Easter Monday.
The Easter Vigil Mass is usually longer than the regular Sunday mass. Easter Vigil Mass can run anytime between 2.5 to 3 hours. It is held in traditional Christian churches as the first official celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.
Easter Eggs
The egg is an ancient symbol representing new life in Christianity.
Eggs have always been an important part of Easter celebrations. Chocolate eggs with tiny gifts inside are sold in many shops across the country. Children especially look forward to buying Easter eggs. Toy filled Easter Eggs come in an assortment of colours and they are an essential part of Easter festivities.
Eggs have always occupied an important place in Easter celebrations. They represent fertility. When life suddenly bursts forth from a plain egg, it is a sign of renewal. Easter egg shells are also decorated. Empty egg shells are transformed into beautiful works of art using water-colours, dyes, etc.
Easter Feast
Lamb, ham and chicken are traditional Easter recipes. You can start by serving your guests a salad and then move on to the main course. Hot cross buns are also a traditional dish made for Easter.
If you are expecting a small crowd of guests, one of the best dishes suitable for Easter lunch or dinner is Herb crusted and roasted lamb rack. Turmeric lamb chop and beet salad with pickled mushrooms is also a good idea. You can end the meal with crispy potatoes and fresh broccoli. An adorable Bunny cake or carrot cake are two of the best desserts to finish your meal and impress the guests who have a sweet tooth.
Easter Celebrations
People get together with family or friends and wish each other – ‘Happy Easter!’ They organize egg hunts wherein the eggs are hidden by one group of children while the other group searches for them. You can attend the Easter service at Church and read the stories in Bible. Since it is a day off, you can relax and enjoy with close ones.
You can discuss the sacrifice of Jesus with your family and teach your children about Bible stories which talk of his resurrection and life after death.
Pause to reflect on the life of Jesus and how his sacrifice impacts your life even today. Think about the goodness and greatness of Jesus. Pay attention to the small details of his life and how he did not complain even though he was put through the cruellest test. Even in the end, he asked God to forgive his enemies who betrayed him. We too should remember that there is no one greater than God and he is the only one who can give and take away life.
When is Easter Sunday usually observed? What is the significance of Easter Sunday? How is Easter Sunday celebrated? Discuss here.
