Easter Easter has its roots in three traditional religious faiths - Pagan, Hebrew and Christian. Pagan tradition says the name Easter is derived from the Anglo-Saxon Goddess of Spring and Fertility called Ostara or Eostre to whom the month of April is dedicated. Easter can also coincide with the vernal equinox or The Festival of Spring in March, another Pagan tradition symbolising the rebirth of nature following winter. Easter may also be derived from the Hebrew "pesach" (Passover), when the angel of death "passed over" the dwellings of the Israelites and spared their first-born. In Christian religion, Easter is also a major celebration, marking as it does the crucifixion of Christ, on what has become known as Good Friday, and his resurrection three days later on Easter Sunday. The Easter tradition of rolling eggs is said to symbolise the rolling away of the rock from Jesus's tomb. Other Easter traditions, including Easter bunnies and Easter eggs are believed to be derived from Pagan culture where the egg and hare were both symbols of fertility and new life.

Easter Lilies Love is such a mighty urge At springtime of the year, Flowing pond and bursting buds To tell us Easter's near. Life's as new, by act of faith, As when the world began, Robins sing in every branch And lilies rise again. ~ June Masters Bacher ~

Easter Eggs The Easter Egg predates the Christian holiday of Easter. The exchange of eggs in the springtime is a custom that was centuries old when Easter was first celebrated by Christians. From the earliest times, the egg was a symbol of rebirth in most cultures. Eggs were often wrapped in gold leaf or, if you were a peasant, colored brightly by boiling them with the leaves or petals of certain flowers. The egg is nature's perfect package. It has, during the span of history, represented mystery, magic, medicine, food and omen. It is the universal symbol of Easter celebrations throughout the world and has been dyed, painted, adorned and embellished in the celebration of its special symbolism. Before the egg became closely entwined with the Christian Easter, it was honored during many rite-of-Spring festivals. The Romans, Gauls, Chinese, Egyptians and Persians all cherished the egg as a symbol of the universe. It was commonly believed that the universe developed from a great egg and that the halves of its shell corresponded to Heaven and earth. With the advent of Christianity the symbolism of the egg changed to represent, not nature's rebirth, but the rebirth of man. Christians embraced the egg symbol and likened it to the tomb from which Christ rose. The shell can be seen as a nurturing, life giving tomb. The hatching chick represents Christ emerging from the tomb. If our children are told the meaning of all the legends and stories of Easter Traditions, it enhances our Celebration of the Resurrection.

The Easter Bunny The Easter Bunny is not a modern invention. The symbol originated with the pagan festival of Eastre. The goddess, Eastre, was worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons through her earthly symbol, the hare or rabbit. The date of Easter is determined by the moon whose symbolism is strongly tied to that of the hare. In fact, the hare is the symbol for the moon. Ever since the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D., Easter has been celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after March 21st. The Germans brought the symbol of the Easter rabbit to America. It was widely ignored by other Christians until shortly after the Civil War. In fact, Easter itself was not widely celebrated in America until after that time and the Easter Bunny began delivering eggs to children on Easter morning.

Easter Crown Bread To decorate this pretty Easter crown, you will need 5 colored eggs but they must be UNCOOKED. Be sure to use non-toxic dyes as you color them. 3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (divided use) 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 package active dry yeast 1 teaspoon salt 2/3 cup warm milk 2 Tablespoons softened butter or margarine 2 eggs 1/2 cup chopped mixed candied fruit 1/4 cup chopped blanched almonds 1/2 teaspoon aniseed ---------- 5 uncooked eggs Non-toxic egg coloring Vegetable oil In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Add the milk and butter and beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes on medium. Add the eggs and 1/2 cup flour and beat on high for 2 minutes. Stir in the fruit, nuts, and aniseed, mixing well. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic (about 6 to 8 minutes). Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hour). Meanwhile, color 5 eggs (leave them uncooked) with non-toxic dyes. When dry, lightly rub them with vegetable oil. Punch down the risen dough. Divide in half. Roll each half into a 24-inch rope. On a greased baking sheet, loosely twist the two ropes together. Form into a ring and pinch the ends together. Gently split the ropes and tuck the 5 colored uncooked eggs into the openings. Cover and let rise again until doubled (about 30 minutes). Bake in a 350-degree F. oven for 30 to 35 mins. or until a golden brown. Remove from the baking sheet and cool on a wire rack

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