Easter eggs-
The shell can be seen as a nurturing, life giving tomb. 
The hatching chick represents Christ emerging from the tomb.
They represent the new life that returns to nature about Easter time.
The custom of exchanging eggs began in ancient times.
The ancient Egyptians and Persians often dyed eggs in spring colors 
and gave them to their friends as gifts
.The Persians believed that the earth had hatched from a giant egg. 
Early Christians of Mesopotamis were the
first to use colored eggs for Easter.In some European countries,
people coloured eggs red to represent the joy of the resurrection. 
In England, friends often wrote messages and dates on
the eggs they exchanged, Elaborate candy eggs with a window in 
one end and tiny scenes inside were popular gifts in the 1800´s.
E g g s
Of all the symbols associated with Easter the egg, the symbol of fertility and new life, is the most identifiable.
The customs and traditions of using eggs have been associated with Easter for centuries Originally Easter eggs were painted with 
bright colours to represent the sunlight of spring and were used in
Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts. After they
were colored and etched with various designs the eggs
were exchanged Crimson eggs, to honour the blood
of Christ, are exchanged in Greece. In parts of Germany
and Austria green eggs are used on Maundy Thursday
(Holy Thursday). Slavic peoples decorate their eggs in
special patterns of gold and silver
Austrian artists design patterns by fastening ferns
and tiny plants around the eggs, which are then boiled.
The plants are then removed revealing a striking white
pattern. The Poles and Ukrainians decorate eggs with
simple designs and colors. A number of eggs are made in the distinctive manner called pysanki (to design, to write)
Pysanki eggs are a masterpiece of skill and
workmanship. Melted beeswax is applied to the fresh
white egg. It is then dipped in successive baths of dye.
After each dip wax is painted over the area where the
preceding color is to remain. 
Eventually a complex pattern of lines and colors emerges into a work of art
In Germany and other countries eggs used for
cooking where not broken, but the contents were removed
by piercing the end of each egg with a needle and
blowing the contents into a bowl. The hollow eggs were died and
hung from shrubs and trees during the Easter Week. The
Armenians would decorate hollow eggs with pictures of
Christ, the Virgin Mary, and other religious designs
lamb-jesus
is associated with the paschal lamb in the Exodus story.
The blood of the Passover lamb caused the angel of death to 
"pass over" the Israelites. John the Baptist calls Jesus "The
Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." 
John 1:29
Easter Bunny-
The Easter bunny has its origin in pre-Christian fertility lore. 
The Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile animals known and they 
served as symbols of the new life during the Spring season.
The bunny as an Easter symbol seems to have it's 
origins in Germany,
where it was first mentioned in German writings in the 1500s.
The first edible Easter bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800s. 
And were made of pastry and sugar. The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the 
Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s. The arrival of the 
"Oschter Haws"was considered "childhood's greatest pleasure" 
next to a visit
from Christ-Kindle on Christmas Eve. 
The children believed that if they were 
goodthe "Oschter Haws" would lay a nest of colored eggs. The children 
would buildtheir nest in a secluded place in the home, the barn 
or the garden. Boys woulduse their caps and girls their bonnets to 
make the nests . The use of elaborate Easter baskets would come
later as the tradition of the Easter bunny spread 
through out the country.
lillies
are used to decorate churches and homes. 
The large, pure white blossoms of the Easter
Lilies remind Christians of the pure new life that comes to them through the Resurrection of Jesus. The new plant life 
that appears in spring symbolizes
new life. The Easter LilyThe white lily, the symbol of the resurrection, 
is the special Easter flower. Rabbits and colored eggs have come from
pagan antiquity as symbols of new life. 
The white lily stands for purity. The lily is also the sign of the Resurrection.

 

But what are these symbols and their meanings?
What is Easter really all about? Is it just the
crucifixion? What about the empty tomb?
Have we forgotten the Resurrection? Have you read about
the Ascension.
Today Christians come from many different 
denominations and churches.
Many
Denomination's have really made the 
Easter season very ritualistic.
We all adhere to
different theology and doctrine. But lets put that all 
aside and look at what the Bible
says about this time of year.
Let's Celebrate Our "Risen" Saviour ~ Jesus Christ.
The Messiah, the Son of God. My
Saviour and Lord of my Life.

Is Easter Sunday the only day you go to church besides Christmas?
Did you know that more people go to church on holidays then throughout the year? Easter and Christmas
bring out more people to Churches then any other
time of the year. It really doesn't matter what
denomination or church you attend.