Where did Easter come from?

 The origins of Easter are unclear but have been connected to legend and paganism. The day most call Easter Christians refer to as Resurrection Day – the day Jesus rose from the dead. The word Easter has been associated with two pagan goddesses, Eostre the eighth century goddess of spring and fertility, and Ishtar the Babylonian goddess of fertility, war, and sex. There is no concrete proof this is where the word Easter comes from. 

Other theories (I believe to be more reliable) say the word Easter in Latin is the phrase In Albis. In Old German, the phrase In Albis (means dawn or daybreak) was changed to eostarum. In more modern German, the word is Ostern from which we get the English Easter. The French word for Easter is Pâcques, based on the Latin and Greek Pascha, meaning “Passover.” This appears to be another case where the pagan Easter celebration is celebrated the same time as the Biblical festival of Passover. Both are in the spring. Spring is the season of change and new life. 

It has been said that the egg represents new life and that is why it is linked to the Resurrection of Christ. There are also reports that eggs were dyed red to represent the blood of Christ. The idea is mere speculation and conjecture. 

The Easter Bunny and Easter Eggs 

The idea of the Easter Bunny and eggs are stuff of legend and have nothing to with Christianity. These ideas are from European folklore. It goes like this: little nests with eggs, pastry and candy were hidden. The children would find these “Easter baskets” left by the “Easter Bunny” who laid the eggs and left the candy. This is most likely where the Easter Egg Hunt comes from and Easter Baskets full of candy and other treats originate. The Easter Bunny tale was extremely popular in Europe. For the record, rabbits do not lay eggs. Neither the egg nor rabbits are Christian symbols.  

The word Easter is rooted in paganism in Egypt, Babylon, China, and Europe. The tradition of Easter made its way to America supposedly after the Civil War (1861-1865) and has been celebrated ever since. When a tradition is practiced so long, few will ever question its origins. Why? Because it is what we have done all our lives. Most will never take the time to investigate whether the practice is good or evil. Most do not care. They see no harm in what they are doing. But what if the practice is unbiblical? As Christians, we must stop it immediately. We should also teach our children the truth about popular traditions and where they come from and what they mean.  

I Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Test or prove all things. Hold fast to that which is good.”  

 

Is there anything wrong with Easter egg hunts and Easter Baskets as a game for children? No. If you inform your kids the origins of the tradition. Many would complain that to tell their children the truth about Easter would destroy their innocence and take the fun out of the tradition. Is it okay to withhold the truth from your children when it is available? No. One thing that Christians must do is educate themselves and their children on the origins of Passover which is a real Biblical tradition and one that Christ Himself attended and practiced. Jesus never celebrated Easter. Passover on the other hand has been celebrated for 3500 years, since the time of Moses and the Hebrews deliverance from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12). 

We also must focus on the Resurrection of Jesus and not Easter. Easter never appears in the Bible. The Resurrection is what our faith is based on. If Christ did not rise from the dead, then Christianity is a waste of time and we are still dead in our trespasses and sins (1 Corinthians 15:17-18). 

But the apostle Paul made it clear that Jesus did rise from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20).

Concluding, Easter is pagan not Christian. That is why we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ.  Our eternal life hinges upon our Lord raising from the dead.