eggs have long been symbols of fertility and a good harvest, so it is not surprising that these are associated with the holiday, and are still presented as Easter gifts.
The Christian holiday of Easter that celebrates the resurrection of Yeshua ben-Yosef, generally acknowledged as the founder of Christianty, is closely tied to the Jewish holiday of Passover, or Pesach. In fact, the Last Supper was actually a seder a special meal celebrating the exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt. As Christianity was spread by missionaries throughout pagan Europe in the early years of the Common Era, it absorbed many pagan traditions as it gained converts. Today, some Christian sects reject Easter because of its pagan overtones.
In the Roman Catholic church, Easter not only marks the resurrection, but also the end of a forty-day period of fasting and self-denial known as Lent, which begins the day after Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday. This celebration, also known in Latin America as Carnival, is meant as a last chance to party and over-indulge before the observance of Lent.
As a secular holiday however, Easter remains as popular as ever especially with children receiving Easter gift baskets enjoying Easter egg hunts an appropriate welcome of Spring.
Anne Harvester is a homemaker extraordinaire with years of experience creating spectacular events and gifts. See her favorite Gift baskets, Easter gift baskets, Childrens Easter gifts.
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