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It’s Time For Some Easter Bunny History

Easter bunny history is about a fictional rabbit that leaves gifts inside an Easter basket on Easter morning.  This Easter bunny history stems from Western European cultures.  While Easter bunny history is considered to be folklore or mythology, meaning that it is fictional, sometimes it is presented to children as a fact in the same way as Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy are.

All You Need To Know About Easter Bunny History

Easter bunny history stems from pre-Christian fertility lore that has its roots in Germany.  This is because the rabbit is the most fertile animal and so it served as a symbol of the new life that begins during the Spring season.

It is first mentioned in the 1500s, where it was found in some of the German writings of that time.  Therefore, it should not surprise anyone that Germany was also the first place where edible Easter bunnies were made.  In the early 1800s, Germany made these edible bunnies out of a combination of pastry and sugar.

The Easter bunny became a part of American folklore in the 1700s, or the 18th century.  This was when the first German settlers arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country.

These German settlers’ children considered Easter to be their greatest pleasure; next to having Santa visit them on Christmas Eve.  German children believed that if they were good children, then the Easter bunny would lay a nest of colored eggs for them.

From that point on, American children have always looked forward to a visit from the Easter bunny at the beginning of the spring season.  Of course, these children also knew all about the great pastry and sugar combination treat that depicted the Easter bunny for them.

It was also a tradition, at that time, for children to build a nest for the Easter bunny to lay the eggs in for them to find on Easter morning.  These nests were built in a secluded part of the home, barn or garden.  Children would then lay their caps or bonnets down to make the nests in that area.  It was not until later on that the use of elaborate Easter baskets became a part of the Easter tradition.

Another part of the story that is founded in mythology is the eggs.  Bunnies give birth to live babies while birds lay eggs and this is where that idea came from.

History Of Easter Brings Many Traditions

To many people Easter is a day that ends the 40 days of Lent, and brings with it the return of anything they may have sacrificed throughout the Lenten season. To others it is the beginning of a season of rebirth, re-growth and renewal. There are also different opinions on the history of Easter, however many agree that some traditions remaining a part of the celebration come from Pagan beliefs defining the history of Easter.

Western civilizations celebrate Easter as the resurrection of Jesus Christ and it is one of the only changeable holidays celebrated. Easter can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25, due to the difference in the lunar full moon and the ecclesiastical full moon. It is generally accepted, based on the history of Easter that it will be celebrated on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or following the spring equinox which occurs on March 21.

It was in the year 325 that it was decided that Easter should be celebrated on a Sunday, the day Jesus was resurrected, which had become the holy day of the week. While originally in the history of Easter, the Quartodecimans followed the Jewish celebration on the 14th day of the month, regardless of which day of the week it fell. It took several centuries to develop a common method of computation before it was accepted throughout Christianity.

Many Traditions Have New Birth Roots

The history of Easter includes many customs such as the Easter rabbit and Easter egg that were born from Pagan history and have nothing to do with the religious history. Rabbits and eggs are symbols of fertility relating to many to the vernal equinox and many of the antique parts of the history of Easter relate to these new beginnings, such as the Christian relationships of the resurrection of Jesus as being a new beginning.

Many in western culture will color eggs on the night before Easter only to have the Easter bunny hide them that night for children to hunt the next day has no bearing on religion and no logical explanation as to why this is done can be found in any ancient culture. It is also left to the imagination as to why the Easter bunny may bring presents in addition to hiding the eggs and leave them is baskets for children. The Easter bunny’s tie to eggs is also unexplained as rabbits bear their young while birds and chickens lay eggs.

Common Easter Sermon Topics

The word “Easter” is derived from the ancient Babylonian and Assyrian goddess known as “Ishtar” (the Queen of Heaven) and “Astarte” (the ancient goddess of spring and fertility), which are both celebrated once a year. The Roman Catholic transformed these ancient traditions into a Christian version now known as Easter by changing the meaning of certain rituals found in ancient times in order to worship Jesus Christ. Easter sermons during Sunday worship began during the 1st century on the seventh day of Sabbath.

Today, Easter Sunday is observed throughout the biggest churches worldwide. During this day, people who do not regularly attend Sunday mass come together with people who regularly do to share and hear the Easter sermon. Although you can expect a larger audience during Easter Sundays, being able to hear inspiring words from men or women who address the Easter sermon from the pulpit is a religious gathering than only happens once a year.

Most Easter sermons focus on the Resurrection of Jesus and the hope it could bring to one’s life, even in the midst of struggle or sorrow. However, different priests and ministers can choose various paths on how to interpret the word of God.

The Inspiring Words Of Hope

Easter sermons usually speak of verses from the Bible associated with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It retells the story of the death and rebirth of Christ as he sacrifices his life for the good of humanity. While this story has been told hundreds of times at church, it still gives people the hope they need in times of trouble and despair.

Some verses in the Bible are ideal topics for Easter sermons, such as the one from the Gospel of John where Jesus tells John about the joy that no other person can take away from you – His resurrection. Priests and ministers help people understand these inspiring words through modern examples.

Some priests and ministers focus their Easter sermons on current issues, such as war, poverty, global warming and other worldly events. This way, people can relate to how Jesus Christ gave everyone hope that, even through situations where you think you cannot survive, hope, faith and love can get you through the problems.

Although each Easter sermon from different parts of the world is told in hundreds of ways, the main idea comes from what the salvation of the Lord has brought us and the understanding that, because Christ died for the good of man kind, you have to live for Him, not just for yourself.

Most people in Western civilizations principally celebrate Easter as the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For some people it is simply the beginning of a season of rebirth, re-growth and renewal.

There are different opinions on the history of Easter, however many agree that some traditions of Easter come from pagan background.

Easter traditions such as the Easter rabbit and Easter egg are symbols of fertility born from Pagan history and have nothing to do with the religious history of Easter. Many ancient history of Easter relate to new beginnings. Even the Christian relationship with Easter as the resurrection of Jesus is considered a new beginning.

Many in western culture color eggs on the night before Easter and have the Easter bunny hide the eggs for children to hunt the next day. This practice has no bearing on religion. Nor is there a logical explanation for the Easter bunny’s tie to eggs as rabbits bear their young while birds and chickens lay eggs.

Some New Easter Traditions You May Enjoy!

Well, let’s just forget the reasons behind illogical Easter traditions and create our very own Easter traditions that will provide new and personal meaning for your particular family.

The following Easter traditions provide meaning to this holiday through a sense of ritual and the memories of spending time with loved ones. Furthermore, they create and preserve a very special time for you and your family.

Seven Great Easter Traditions Your Family May Enjoy

• Make a kindness wreath to hang on your doorway. Give each family member ten or more bright, spring colored ribbons the week before Easter. Then, each time that someone does something kind for someone else that week, they can tie a ribbon onto the wreath

• Have the children draw something special to show what Easter means to them. These can then be displayed before being stored for the next year

• Create a Garden Journal by covering a small notebook with spring patterns. In this journal, document the process that you go through to create a family garden this year. Of course, you will want to include plenty of photos, information about their favorite flowers and even some pressings of these flowers

• Take some time to fill up an Easter basket with cheerful messages, handmade cards or simple gifts before anonymously leaving it on a friend’s doorstep

• Make a video or audio tape of your children singing a fun seasonal song like “Here Comes Peter Cottontail.” This can make a treasured memento for you to share with family members and friends who do not live close to you

• Give each of your Easter dinner guests a small piece of paper so that they can write down a special Easter message. Then take a picture of each guest and save the paper with their photo in a small photo album

• Children enjoy coloring Easter pictures and making handmade Easter cards to send to their family and friends. You could even turn this into a party and have guests over to make their own Easter cards.

One great goal to have is to mail out at least 5 Easter cards this year to those people with whom you would like to rejuvenate a relationship.

Hopefully, you will enjoy some of these wonderful Easter traditions with your family this year – and start a tradition.

This website provides a ton of information about Easter. Use the navigation links to guide you to articles, products, resources, and additional information located throughout this Easter website.

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