Easter - Traditions, Poems and Easter Greetings

March 21st, 2008 by Admin

In Christian belief, more specifically Catholic traditions; Easter is the season to rejoice and celebrate the resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ, this season is highly symbolic because without resurrection the entire Christian faith would be thrown into question, this is why the resurrection is highly regarded across many countries.The reasons to celebrate such occasion are many but the way it is celebrated varies according to individual beliefs, some will celebrate it with a solemn service, others hide eggs and bunny shaped chocolates with candies for the children to find and others exchange the famous easter baskets. Regardless of how it is celebrated, the reasons to remember these days in our hearts are many.

There is no higher proof of God’s love towards the human kind than to have offered his only begotten son to die for your transgressions so that we may be saved from the unbearable burden sin bestows upon us. Furthermore, we are reminded that God’s son came to the world, took our form and overcame every test thrown at him which encourages us to live a life without sin, he showed us that it is possible. After his crucifixion the most remarkable event was his resurrection which is why Jesus Christ is regarded as our Lord and Saviour, not just as a simple prophet. The tradition of sharing Easter gift baskets is said to have started due to the belief that Christians have that you must give something up and fast until after Easter has passed. The fasting includes giving up on diary products, eggs, meat and such; this season lent starts during fat Tuesday.

In ancient times people used to have a large Easter supper which represented the end of the Lenten fast, during such celebration people brought large feasts to the church in baskets to be shared with everyone, this is the direct link and symbolism which explains Easter treats and gift baskets. This beautiful tradition brings people together and helps them celebrate such special religious occasion which happens only once a year.

Today, Easter is celebrated among Christians in many ways, through poems which express the beauty of Christ resurrection and nature’s rebirth (equinox), through gift exchanges and candies for children which encourages them to rejoice during this season and remember the reason of this celebration. Easter however, gives us the ultimate gift of hope and reassures faith in our Lord.

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Holidays-Easter.net provides more information about Easter and the many ways to celebrate it. Learn more about easter poems and greetings, visit us today!

The History of Easter

March 20th, 2008 by Admin

Easter is named after Eostre, the Saxon goddess of spring, who was one of many pagan goddesses associated with the worship of nature and fertility at spring-time. Eostre is often depicted with a hare by her side, because hares or rabbits were symbols of enviable prolific procreation. When we think of Easter, often our first thoughts are bunny rabbits and chocolate eggs! For Christians it is, more importantly, the anniversary of the resurrection of Jesus, so central to our faith.Strangely, Easter eggs are a tradition linked to the symbolic hare or rabbit; the modern-day “Easter Bunny” was originally a spirit that brought new life with it at spring-time, new life which all came from the eggs it laid in the grass. So that explains Easter eggs (new life), Easter Bunnies (fertility) and Easter egg hunts (searching in the grass for the hidden eggs)!

Historical records, including the Bible, tell us that Jesus was also crucified at this time of year, in the run up to the Jewish Passover festival. The date each year for Passover was, and still is, based on the Jewish calendar, which has different months than on the calendar we follow today in the western world.

About 350 years after the crucifixion of Jesus, church leaders decided to tell people what day Easter should be observed, as people were choosing different days based on different reasoning. For instance, should Easter Day always be on a Sunday, as this was the original day of the resurrection, or could it be on a week day if the changing date of Passover dictated this? These church leaders decided that Easter Sunday will always be on the First Sunday after the full moon that directly follows the Spring Equinox!

Even though Easter has taken it’s name from paganism, it actually has much more to do with the Jewish Passover festival. 1200 years before Jesus, God rescued his people from slavery in Egypt, and Passover was established to commemorate this event, in particular, the day God “passed over” the homes of the Israelites, but killed the first born Egyptians in their homes.

Jesus was like those lambs that had to be killed for God’s people to be saved. The Bible says Jesus was the last lamb that would ever need to be sacrificed; his blood would keep people spiritually safe forever more. Jesus died to save us from sin, and he rose again to show he was boss over sin and death. All we have to do is invite Jesus into our lives. That’s why Easter Sunday, aka Resurrection Day, is something worth celebrating!

Later on, in the fourth century AD, the church created some more “holy days” to observe, each of which was to act as a reminder of something from the life of Jesus, eg. the days of Lent.

Richmond Park Church, What have Eostre and Jesus got to do with each other?

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Morning service 10.30am Sundays, includes creche and Sunday School

Easter - The Spring Festival

March 20th, 2008 by Admin

It’s Eastertime heralding the advent of spring magic. Spring has sprung. Captivating beauty of Roses, Tulips, Irises, Lilies, Daffodils, and Crocuses, display its magical colors in full brilliance, exemplifying joy and festivity that surrounds Easter. Time when fragrance of burgeoning flowers fills air with exuberance and chirping of birds blends melody in the song of spring.Blow the trumpet and wish all springtime festivities galore. Enliven the bond of love and meet your dear ones over the dinner table. Embellish your homes with brightly colored Easter eggs. Prepare yummy dishes and relish on Easter Chocolate Eggs. On this wonderful day, Easter bunnies hop on every doorstep loaded with gifts and candies.

You too, delight your nearest and dearest this â€œEaster Sundayâ€ with amazing Easter gifts, and express your feelings of love, appreciation and thanks you feel for them. Blossom romance in your love life and take it to next level with Easter love cards. Its heart touching content will mesmerize your beloved senses. Or gift them a bouquet Easter Lilies or Easter Roses- potent symbol of love made a new.

Exchange Easter eggs with family and associates. Cheer them with the assortment of Easter candies, chocolates, and cookies. Your thoughtful Easter gifts will bring smile on their face and bring you close to them.

Present your friends, gift basket filled with Easter sweets, toys, games, and scrumptious chocolate fudge cakes- they will be completely bowled over to receive fabulous Easter gifts, perfectly conveying your best wishes, and cementing your friendship.

Unleash the magic of Easter Wish all Happy Easter 2008 and basketful of springtime smiles.

About the Author

This article is written by Divya Jain who is a writer at Dgreetings.com. Dgreetings offers Birthday Cards, Romantic e-Card, Free Greeting Cards, Birthday Ecards, Love Cards, Friendship e card and many other ecards for your near and dear ones.

St. Patrick’s Day

February 25th, 2008 by Admin

According to Irish folklore, every other day between Saint Bridget’s Day (Februrary 2) and Saint patrick’s Day is supposed to be fair and sunny.

In legends, St. Patrick brought Christianity to the Celtic Irish. In one story, Patrick lights a paschal bonfire to celebrate Easter. He set it on a hilltop across a valley from the site of the druidical bonfires. The druids insisted that he put out the fire, but Patrick stated that the fire he brings — the Christian faith — can never be extinguished. Patrick’s actions were, in fact, viewed as blasphemous by the druids since he was using a sacred custom of theirs outside of what they considered its appropriate use. They considered non-Christian religion to be pagan.

Patrick (and others) redefined the symbols and customs of the traditional Irish religion.

The shamrock was probably associated with the earth and was assumed to be symbolic of the regenerative powers of nature.

What’s So Great About Love?

February 14th, 2008 by Admin

Love? A special day to celebrate it? Why get excited about that? After all, it just keeps us going - individually and as a species. It just fills us with joy and makes life worth living. It just - Hmmmm… maybe there’s something to this after all. Reboot.

Valentine’s Day is for lovers. But love comes in all forms. A husband may love his wife. A daughter may love her mother. A young boy may adore his grandfather. Valentine’s Day is for all these relationships and many more.

Feeling love is one thing. Expressing it is another. Having one day out of the year to celebrate the glory that only love provides makes February 14th a unique holiday. Naturally, we could argue that it should be celebrated every day. And, in some ways, maybe we do. But picking one day focuses attention on that special event.

Express that by selecting just the right Valentine’s Day card. Find one that says exactly HOW you love that special someone. And, if it doesn’t, express it yourself either by making a card or writing some heartfelt comments in one you find.

Now, like love itself does, go beyond that small step. Give a gift that also shows how much you care. Sure, love is spiritual and it’s the emotions that count most. But how better to express those feelings than to put them into material form?

That material form can range over thousands of options.

Hire a maid for Mom for the day. Have someone clean Dad’s car. Call in a freelance chef to make a special dinner for the two of you on the evening of February 14th. Schedule a short cruise on a romantic trip to an island and back. Jump out of an airplane (with parachutes, of course), or float above the clouds in a hot air balloon.

Buy some flowers and chocolate, then shower that special someone with other things that remind you both of Valentine’s Day and its meaning. Pick out a gift basket that contains something that shows that you remember your special vacation together. A camera, a photo frame or a unique gem from the place you visited.

Now give the best gift of all: time. Spend time together on Valentine’s Day. Set aside the cares and plans that occupy you the rest of the year. Today, only one thing counts: being together. Say what you really mean. Mean what you say. Tell that person that life is better because that special someone is in your life.

If love is special, if it really is the great thing so many make it out to be - and isn’t the evidence overwhelming? - celebrate Valentine’s Day. Celebrate your way, with that unique person who shows you why love is everything it is.

Things to do for Valentine’s Day

February 12th, 2008 by Admin

A Valentine’s Day gift doesn’t have to be an object. Though they’re always welcome. It can just as well be a great new experience. When the experience is shared it’s even better.

Hot air balloon rides, for example, are a popular idea. They combine all the excitement of lighter than air travel with color, drama and shared joy. Within an hour or so of many large population areas there are businesses that will offer a half-hour or hour long ride, sometimes longer.

Participants get a very short talk about safety, then the trip begins. A sunny day with puffy clouds provides the perfect opportunity to see nearby mountains, forests and the city in the distance. In some areas that trip can be wintery cold. But in many it will just be the normal cool associated with being high over the Earth.

A car rental is another good idea for a Valentine’s Day gift, rather than something to have. What? How boring is that? No, no. Not just any car rental… a very special car.

Take your pick. It could be a Ferrari, if you have a place to stretch it out. Or, it could be an elegant Bentley Azure. Sure, they’re pricey, even by the day. But a Valentine’s Day gift like this is going to be remembered for a long time.

Cruise down the highway, or slide through town. Drive up to pick up your Valentine’s Day date in a beautiful automobile and you’ll start it off on a high note that only gets better.

Speaking of cruises…. Need something longer, bigger? Go for a ship cruise.

For those who have the time and funds, there are a thousand two-week to month-long (or more) cruises to choose from. From New York to the south of France is a popular route. If you’re already in Europe, try one of the Scandinavian trips, weather permitting.

But, it could be just a day long excursion from San Francisco to San Diego or Cabo. It could be a gentle glide from Boston to Miami. Or, you could take a 4-day cruise to Alaska or the Caribbean. After all, just because Valentine’s Day only lasts 24 hours, there’s no law that says the gift must be limited to that.

Want something that will really get the heart pumping? And isn’t that what Valentine’s Day is all about?! Try a parachute jump. Singly or as a couple, you can take a one to two hour drive and be right at the airport. They teach you all you need to know. Depending on the kind of jump, instruction may be a few hours or only an hour. Then it’s up into the sky - and very quickly back down again. That’s the kind of gift that is remembered long after the chocolates are gone.