The meaning of Easter
Easter is Christianity’s most important holiday, a celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the first-century man who was crucified by Roman soldiers outside Jerusalem (read Gospel accounts). The holiday—observed by Christians in more than 95 countries (see map), roughly 2.4 billion people—culminates Holy Week, the stretch from Palm Sunday through Maundy (or Holy) Thursday and Good Friday. It concludes the 40-day period of fasting and penance that starts on Ash Wednesday, known as Lent (46 days if you count Sundays).
Theologians describe Easter as the fulfillment of the Jewish commemoration of Passover, when the enslaved Israelites were “passed over” in Egypt by the Angel of Death, who took the life of every firstborn son (listen to reflections). Early Christians, like Paul, argued that this event prefigured—or anticipated—Jesus’ death on the cross, whose sacrifice, they believe, saves everyone from sin and death. Paul argues that without the Resurrection, Christianity is false. On Easter, Christians believe Jesus is “risen” today, and that he calls everyone to similar eternal life.
Easter eggs became associated with Easter after hens laid eggs during the Lenten fast, resulting in a surplus by Easter. German immigrants brought the tradition of the Easter Bunny in the 1700s (explore symbols). Today, Americans are projected to spend nearly $25B on Easter.
