Easter Reflection
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When I was really young, Easter was one of my favorite holidays. Just thinking about the pomp, circumstance, and rituals brings back fond memories. My mom would get us all dressed, greasy faces and all, line us up in the yard, and begin taking photos. Afterward, she would send us to church, and though she rarely went, she made sure we did. While we often struggled financially, on most Easter Sundays, my mom made sure we had new clothes to wear to church. She wanted us to look good as we recited our Easter speeches. Easter Service was always long, and then we often stayed after church for dinner. I kind of miss those rituals, so today, I want to reflect on some of the cultural and religious traditions of Easter.
One of the things I loved most about the Easter holiday was the sense of community I felt. The holiday was a time for families and friends to get together, eat, and celebrate life. I was raised in the South, so Easter felt like the opening of Spring. Everyone seemed happy and made it a point to enjoy the day. So, whether we cooked out or were just hanging on the porch, Easter felt special because we spent it with family and loved ones.
Of course, I loved some of the pagan traditions of Easter, like dyeing and hunting for eggs, chocolate bunnies, and other treats. On the Saturday before Easter, my siblings and I would boil a bunch of eggs and gather around the table and decorate them. We would have a contest for the best-decorated egg. Then on Sunday after church, we would have an Easter Egg hunt. Back then, I didn't like boiled eggs except on Easter; they just seemed to taste better that day.
I did a little investigation into the tradition of having eggs on Easter, and while the research is all over the place, I want to share some of what I found. Some research suggests that the tradition of decorating eggs pre-dates Christ ... "decorated birds' eggs symbolized fertility, sexuality, rebirth, new life, and the coming of Spring in many ancient civilizations. Decorated ostrich eggs as old as 65,000 years had been found in South Africa, and representations of ostrich eggs in gold and silver were placed in the graves of the Sumerians and Egyptians of 5,000 years ago." The traditional use of eggs during Easter is said to symbolize new life and rebirth. In early Christian communities, the egg was seen as a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The egg's hard shell represents the sealed tomb in which Jesus was placed, while a cracked or open egg symbolizes the opened or empty tomb. Who knew??
More than eggs, I coveted the chocolate bunny, but I never really questioned why the bunny symbolized Easter. However, I learned that the Easter Bunny also has pre-Christian fertility origins. Many ancient cultures saw the hare as a symbol of fertility and new life. Later Christians in Europe incorporated the hare into the celebration of Easter. The tradition of the chocolate bunny is more recent. It began in the 19th century when European chocolate makers started making chocolate eggs and bunnies as a novelty item for Easter.
The tradition of children doing Easter speeches is a long-standing ritual in many African American churches. Easter speeches were short presentations given by children during the Easter Sunday service. The speeches include:
• Reciting short scriptures and short poems.
• Singing songs.
• Sharing personal reflections about Jesus Christ and the resurrection.
Children would deliver speeches in front of the entire congregation, and we were encouraged to wear our best clothing. This tradition goes back to slavery. Enslaved people were not allowed to receive a formal education, so when they gathered for church, they developed the practice of having children recite scripture and sing hymns to encourage learning and to pass on religious teachings and traditions.
In conclusion, Easter is one of my favorite holidays. As a Christian, Easter is a time to celebrate Jesus Christ and renew my faith. The traditions and celebrations of Easter remind me of the importance of family, faith, and the season of rebirth and Spring. Please have a great Easter, reminisce, and celebrate the new life it brings.
Sophia Brewer (M.L.I.S.) is Collection Development and Serials Librarian, Grand Rapids Community College; Co-President of the Greater Grand Rapids History Council; member of the Grand Rapids Study Club and serves on the Grand Rapids Public Library, Board of Library Commissioners (Elected 2016-2021). She is a former Head of Programs, Grand Rapids Public Library and former Branch Manager, Madison Square Branch, Grand Rapids Public Library Congresswoman.
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