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Spring is here! The birds are chirping, the hillsides are a little greener, the skies are blue, the sun is coming up earlier and leaving later and the glorious promise of all things new is upon us. For the world, Easter is filled with adorable, fluffy, baby chicks and bunnies, candy-filled egg hunts and a special-occasion Hallmark cards. But for those who know and have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, Easter is the day of biblical-prophesy fulfilled and a gift of everlasting life bestowed to whosoever will believe.

Easter is the most important holiday in Christianity and represents the moment in time when our Father in Heaven extended His merciful grace to all sinners, not just His chosen children of Israel. “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:12-13, KVJ). Aside from the biblical significance and context, where did the Easter Holiday come from and what is the history behind it?

Why is this holiday called “Easter”? The term Easter, like most of the Christian holiday counterparts is of pagan decent and appears to be related to the pre-Christian goddess in England, Eostre, who was celebrated at the beginning of spring. One of the only written references to this goddess and celebration was by the British Monk, Venerable Bede who lived in the late seventh and early eighth century. Religious Studies scholar Bruce Frobes provides an excerpt from his writings: “Bede wrote that the month in which English Christians were celebrating the resurrection of Jesus had been called Eosturmonath in Old English, referring to a goddess named Eostre. And even though Christians had begun affirming the Christian meaning of the celebration, they continued to use the name of the goddess to designate the season.” So even though the origin and name are of pagan decent, the meaning and significance could not be more Christian.

Why is Easter celebrated in Spring? It has been generally speculated according the what best fits the narrative of the Gospel, that Jesus was crucified some time on Friday, April 3, 33 A.D and rose again 3 days later on Sunday, April 5, 33 A.D. Although the Bible mentions “3 days” (e.g. Matthew 16:21; Acts 10:40), it does not specify 3 “full” days and this is why this timeline seems to fit best. In 325 A.D the Emperor of Constantine, who favored Christianity over paganism, convened a meeting with prominent Christian leaders to resolve the status of Christ, which resulted in the Council ultimately recognizing Him as “fully human and fully divine” and the celebration of His death, burial and resurrection would no longer be celebrated on day 14 of the Nisan (Day of Preparation), but would set to be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon of the Vernal Equinox, as spring is a symbol of the renewing of life and Christ being the “Light of the World” seemed to best be represented within this season.

The Christian meaning for Easter is the commemoration of the death, burial and more specifically the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the symbol of God’s promise that for all of us who believe within our hearts that the blood shed by Jesus on the Cross of Calvary is enough to pay our “wages of sins,” hereby granting us everlasting and eternal life with our Heavenly Father. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23, KJV) and ”That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9, KJV). Put in simpler terms without downplaying the significance, to be saved from eternal damnation, all we need to do is believe Christ died and the Lord resurrected Him and His blood shed was payment for the debt we have incurred as sinners. The blood of Jesus is enough to wipe out every sin we have, are or will commit. It guarantees us everlasting life.

The name “Easter” and the “when” are nominal details, whereas the “why” carries all the significance. Although it is important to understand how Christianity has been blended with pagan beliefs and traditions and accepted as having purely Christian roots, it is imperative we as Christians stop accepting what we hear and see to be truth and start reading the bible ourselves to find the only truth we will ever need to know. As Christians, we should remain focused on why we celebrate Easter and how He saved us from eternal damnation and share this amazing news with those around us who still live in darkness. Afterall, part of the great commission of the New Testament commands us to “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15, KJV).

This is the truth and glory of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God is good and relentlessly merciful and Jesus is proof of our God’s love for us. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16, KJV)

Remember “He is Risen”. May the Lord bless you and your loved ones on this very special occasion. If you are reading this article and you are not sure if you are saved, please reach out so I can show you in the bible how you can seal your salvation and know for sure you will go to heaven.

Heather Piper owns The Foxhole Eatery in Hot Springs. She has her Bachelor of Art in Psychology & Social Behavior from the University of Irvine, California, Is a certified Behavior Change Specialist from the National Academy of Sports Medicine and is active at her local bible church and community spreading the good news of the Gospel. Heather encourages you to reach out with questions or feedback at [email protected].