Traditions: Good Friday / Resurrection Day

{ April 4, 2010 @ 7:43 PM } · { Erin, holiday, traditions }
{ Tags: Easter, holiday, traditions }

So, if you follow this blog, or we are friends on Facebook, you know that I have struggled with the bunny and his eggs this year and pointing that tradition towards Christ. I have heard LOTS of great suggestions for ways to tie the eggs in with the story of the crucifixion and resurrection. I love that so many others have processed through this and found a good fit for their families! As I’ve been processing through our own family traditions and talking to my older children about them, my 10yr old (avid reader) informed me of something he had read about Easter and it’s roots in a Bible almanac he had read.

You can read about the history of the different Easter symbols by clicking HERE, and you can read more about the pagan roots that Drew described to me by clicking HERE. Below is an excerpt…

“Most reference books say that the name “Easter” derived from the Eastre, the Teutonic goddess of Spring. Although this relationship exists, in reality, the origin of the name and the goddess are far more ancient – going all the way back to the Tower of Babel. The origin begins not long after the biblical Flood.”

I encourage you to visit the site & read the article, Where did “Easter” get its name? Terribly interesting, and a bit disturbing. OK – seriously… it freaked me out, and I’m appauled that I never did the research on my own and instead drank it down like kool-aid. Why did my 10 yr old have to point this out to me!? Oy… I will never hear or speak the word Easter again with out shivers running up my spine…

Let me just give a disclaimer… Drew and Jack both spent YEARS dying eggs to leave for the Easter bunny, and then hunting for them the next day. They both have “survived” the bunny, accepted Christ, and been baptized. Although the bunny is no longer right for our family, it may be for yours! My purpose in writing this post, and sharing some of the new things we are trying is simply in the spirit of sharing. Maybe you’ll get some good ideas for your family, maybe NOT!

The only thing I do hope you take away from any of this is the importance of pointing whatever you do with your children back to the CROSS. (This of course looks different for different ages/stages…)

Below are the additions and changes we made to our family Easter celebrations. You can click on each new tradition to learn more about them…

1 – the Silence

2 – Resurrection Day scavenger hunt

3 – Resurrection Rolls

… and finally… some ideas for the eggs.