Easter Eggs, Bunnies, and Christ

Submitted by: Sandra Harris Frey

The beginning of spring sends a message of renewal. Many young are born in the animal world around this time of year. It is also the time that we celebrate Easter. Children eager to paint their eggs for the Easter egg hunt. Bunnies and chicks are symbols of Easter. Most of all, it’s the holiday celebrated for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Being curious about the origin of the Easter egg hunts, the chicks, and bunny factors, I did a little research on why these things are associated with Easter. It has been widely reported that after the resurrection of Christ, Mary visited the Emperor of Rome telling him that “Christ has risen”. His comment as he pointed to an egg on a table, “Christ is no more risen than that egg is red”. It was told that the egg immediately turned blood red.

Many believe eggs were painted and given as gifts symbolizing the end of Lent. In Eastern Christianity, meat and eggs are prohibited during Lent. The eggs and the hatchlings are symbols of new life and the resurrection of Christ.

As we enter this Easter holiday, let’s keep focused on new life, renewal, and a new beginning.

Luke 24

The Resurrection

¹On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. ²They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, ³but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. ⁵In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? ⁶He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ⁷'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " ⁸Then they remembered his words.