WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO - -

WHY WE ARE WHO WE ARE

According to tradition dating back to before Christ, spring has always signified the season of rebirth and celebration of life to come.  As it relates to religion, the Jewish Passover was always celebrated on the day of Spring Equinox, which was/is the day in spring when the hours of light and the hours of darkness are the same.

Jesus, who was a Jew, was celebrating the Passover meal with his disciples when he instructed them to “do this in remembrance of me” as he broke the bread and passed the wine.  He knew that his days on earth were limited and he was celebrating Passover for the last time in his earthly form.  So, now when we celebrate Christ’s life and resurrection at Eastertide, this celebration coincides with the Jewish Passover holiday. 

As with all celebrations, symbolism is the one ingredient that brings history to life for us generation after generation.  It is a way for people to make meaningful associations that help them understand the true reason for the celebration.  Some of our Protestant friends do not agree with the theory of “an outward sign of an inward feeling”.  They denounce the act of bowing to a representation of the figure of Christ or a cross placed on the altar in church and especially the taking of fermented wine during the Holy Eucharist.  They choose instead to serve grape juice and call this act the Lord’s Supper.  If this is what is necessary for them to participate in and celebrate communion with our Lord, they should continue to do this.  What we must all understand is that the bread and wine used in the celebration are a true representation of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.  In keeping the celebration alive, we are keeping Christ alive in ourselves. 

What we also need to understand is that the abuse of wine/alcohol is the reason for the apparent abstinence of wine in all their celebrations.  Protestants decided that unfermented wine (grape juice) was a way of continuing the celebration without introducing "demon" alcohol into their lives.  This tradition can be attributed to the early Quakers who were in all things “pure”.

The traditional Easter meal has been served for centuries with local variations on the central theme.  Lamb has always been the desired choice of meat, which symbolizes that Jesus was the Lamb of God and was sacrificed for our sins.  Those who have an affinity to lamb usually serve poultry or ham or any combination of the above.  The vegetables are usually new spring vegetables such as English peas, asparagus with hollandaise sauce (using eggs) and/or deviled eggs.  The yolk of the egg is symbolic of the sun; therefore eggs are always included in the meal. They are an indication of rebirth and are associated with the emergence of more daylight for growing.  The bread is usually risen bread that indicates that Christ has risen from the grave and lives forever.

The Easter bunny that has been a delight for children for ages is no accident.  The bunny, which in early times was known as the hare, was considered to be a representation of the moon.  When we reference the man in the moon, what we are saying, with variation, is the same thing that was said centuries ago when they referred to the hare in the moon.  The hare has reproductive capabilities that far surpasses most animals and has been used as an outward sign of rebirth for all people.  When our children celebrate the Easter bunny hiding eggs for them to find, they are unknowingly celebrating an age-old tradition of the joy of the rebirth of Christ found in us. 

During the last half of the twentieth century a new practice has developed within cities where access to farm animals is almost nonexistent.  Many parents have taken to giving their children baby chicks (that in the beginning of the practice were dyed pretty pastel colors reflecting the colors of spring).  (Dying the chicks has been discontinued for health reasons.  Baby chicks are usually a pretty yellow or white at birth).  Where available baby rabbits, preferably white, are also given.  This is a way of introducing new life to their children and thereby giving them an opportunity to observe life at it's youngest developing into adulthood. Of course this is also symbolic of how our Christian faith has developed in mankind.

So whether we are partaking of the Holy Eucharist, having a traditional Easter dinner, helping our children find Easter eggs that the bunny has left for them or giving them young animals as pets; we are directly observing Easter traditions that have lived for centuries.  Hopefully, these traditions will continue for centuries to come.