Easter as Christians know it is very different from how Easter began. We borrowed the word 'Easter' in the same way as we borrowed our Christmas date and traditions--from the pagans.
The bunnies-and-candy holiday we know now is actually a bit closer to the original celebrations of 'Ostara' or 'Eostre'--fertility festivals about the birth of spring and verdant things centered around a Germanic Goddess and most recently, the Neopagan/Wiccan community.
Easter, as celebrated by Christians, is about Jesus' Resurrection after the Crucifixion. Rebirth, forgiveness, etc. Good Friday is typically solemn--Jesus traditionally hung on the cross from noon until three in the afternoon. Up until this year actually, I spent these hours alone, just being quiet or reflecting. This year, I was eating crepes in the sunshine. Oooops...
But it's not as though I forgot--the Crucifixion is essential to the Christian faith.
HOWEVER.
It is very, VERY important to remember that the Crucifixion is not the most important part. The Resurrection is. The death is worthless without the rebirth. Christ did not die in vain because God lifted Him back up into Heaven, and us with Him! That's why Easter is so important. It's a celebration of our own eventual entry into Heaven. Isn't that AWESOME?!
I know! So go celebrate and thank God for your life!
John's mom and brother are in town to see Midsummer tomorrow night--we're going out to his aunt and uncle's in Annapolis tomorrow for a barbecue, and on Sunday for Easter mass and brunch! :D Hope you all have a wonderful day!
-A.
P.S. Thesis is coming along SLOOOOWLY. It would be going much faster if I wasn't worrying about:
a) My seminar presentation, complete with business cards and postcards, portfolio site and hard portfolio to pass around. BLECH.
b) My other assignments--a 5-8 page paper, weekly assignments for my worthless 'Professional Practice for the Visual Artist' course, and Life Style illustration assignments.
Wish me luck and (more importantly) motivation!
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