To Christians, Easter is much more than Easter bunnies and eggs: it is the most significant day in the year as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. While Jesus should always be the focal point of Easter, many of these more commercial elements of Easter can symbolize parts of the Easter story. While they may have had different meanings at other times in history, now they help us remember our new lives in Christ.
To Christians, Easter is much more than Easter bunnies and eggs: it is the most significant day in the year as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. While Jesus should always be the focal point of Easter, many of these more commercial elements of Easter can symbolize parts of the Easter story. While they may have had different meanings at other times in history, now they help us remember our new lives in Christ.
Rabbits
The rabbit was a symbol of fertility in ancient times. Now, rabbits represent the abundant new life available to us through Jesus.
Eggs and chicks
Eggs appear lifeless, but life is inside an egg and can break forth, just as Jesus did in the tomb. The egg itself can also represent the stone that was rolled in front of Jesus’ tomb.
The first Easter eggs were painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring. One legend theories that Simon of Cyrene, who carried Jesus’ cross for him, was an egg merchant. When he retrieved his basket of eggs after carrying the cross, he found that all the eggs were miraculously colored and decorated.
Chicks are also symbols of new life and re-birth.
Butterflies
As a caterpillar forms a chrysalis, it appears to be dead and lifeless. However, it then emerges as a beautiful butterfly, symbolizing the Easter cycle of life – death – resurrection. In the same way, Jesus was dead in the tomb but emerged victorious to give eternal life to all believers.
A fun family activity before Easter is to raise butterflies. You can purchase caterpillars and supplies at Insectlore.com. If you time the purchase right, you will have live butterflies to release on Easter morning.
Lambs
In Judaism, lambs were one of the animals that could be sacrificed to atone for sins. Jesus is called the Lamb of God and lambs represent Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
Flowers
Many flowers are special symbols of Easter, representing new life as they bloom in the spring. Lilies are especially significant at Easter. As lilies grow from a bulb that appears dead, Christians remember how Jesus came back to life. White lilies, in particular, represent the purity of Jesus.
New hats and clothes
Wearing new hats and clothes at Easter is more than just a fashion statement. They also symbolize our new life in Christ, as we shed the old and welcome the new.
Biography Stacey Schifferdecker is the happy but harried mother of three school-aged children—two boys and a girl. She is also a freelance writer, a Children’s Minister, a PTA volunteer, and a Scout leader. Stacey has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and French and a Master’s degree in English. She has written extensively about parenting and education as well as business, technology, travel, and hobbies.
No part of this article may be copied or reproduced in any form without the express permission of More4Kids © All rights Reserved
Add Comment