April 4, 2007 11:42 PM
History of Easter Eggs
Passed on from Angie:
History of the Easter Egg:To keep a Christian perspective of Easter in your home, please note the following research that can help you explain the history of the Easter egg to your children.
The earliest Christian history of the Eater egg tradition is found approximately 50 years after Jesus’ resurrection. Bright red-colored eggs were simply exchanged as gifts as a symbol of continuing life and Christ’s resurrection. The red color was an intentional Christian tradition commemorating the blood of Christ. The red Easter eggs in Christian history were originally used when two friends met on Easter day. They two friends would know to tap their eggs together and one would greet the other with the words, “Christ is Risen!” and the other would respond, “Christ is Risen Indeed!” Then the eggs were eaten in fellowship.
In the Reformation years, the church instituted the custom of breaking the Lenten fast with hard-boiled eggs. The eggs were brought to the Easter morning service, and the priest blessed them saying, “Lord, bless these eggs as a wholesome substance, eaten in thankfulness on account of the resurrection of our Lord.”
Our main focus must always be that our children meet Jesus in a personal way. If an Easter egg will bring Jesus alive to a child as a symbolic illustration, we should rejoice in the revelation of Jesus and his Resurrection to our children!
Posted in Holidays | Permalink
Comments
Thanks for sharing, Barbara and Annie. My tot is not quite two, but I've wondered how I would incorporate Easter eggs (besides Resurrection Eggs, do you guys know about these?) into our Christian celebration of Christ's ressurection.
Posted by: Amanda | April 5, 2007 9:56 AM
I've always wondered how eggs fit in the scheme of things, but never had the time to research it. Thanks for this; I'm going to print it out! :)
Kristina
Posted by: Kristina | April 5, 2007 4:46 PM
This may no be a popular viewpoint, but I must voice it- Why do we celebrate pagan holidays? Christmas, Easter and Halloween are all grounded in pagan roots. One of them is not even mentioned in scripture and the other two (Easter and Christmas) have traditional references that the scriptures says are blasphemous.
It bothers me mostly because I grew up with all these celebrations and when I learned they had no connection with celebrating Christ, I was deeply hurt. I understand some of you have connections with cultures who decorate eggs. I have a problem encouraging my children to embrace holidays that are spiritually and culturally irrelevant to them.
We celebrate a Christian Seder which connects Passover with Christ's Resurrection. While none of our extended family understands why, I've found that our daughter (5) enjoys the experience.
Posted by: Nicole | April 8, 2007 7:47 AM
Nicole - There are things I have a problem with - overdecorating, overspending, Santa,Easter bunnies, etc. I don't have a problem with eggs as they are a symbol of birth and new life and because of the roots in church history.
I don't particularly mind that some of our traditions were rooted in pagan culture. Because we infused them with meaning, they are now ours to share. The whole earth is the Lord's, after all.
I think it's cool that Christians celebrate Seder. This has been a growing movement in the church. Maybe someday everyone will, but it takes time for things - and people to evolve.
Personally, I've never felt at all connected to - or had any desire to follow - the Hebrew traditions. Maybe it's because I am a Gentile - you know like the Peter/Paul Hebrew/Gentile thing. Or maybe next year God will nudge me in that direction. Who knows? I just do my best to follow him rather than others :)
This is one of those areas where I think it's best not to judge or feel superior to others. Just go where God leads your family and love others the way he loves us. Otherwise we lose focus on the meaning of the Resurrection ourselves.
Posted by: barbara | April 8, 2007 8:14 AM
