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 What
is Easter?
Easter is the time for holidays, festivals and a time for giving
chocolate Easter eggs. But Easter means much more. It is the oldest and the most
important Christian Festival, the celebration of the death and coming to life
again of Jesus Christ. Easter is the story of Jesus' last days in Jerusalem
before his death. The Easter story includes Maundy Thursday (the Last supper
leading to the Eucharist), Good Friday (the day on which Jesus was crucified)
and Easter Sunday (the day on which Jesus came back to life). For Christians,
the dawn of Easter Sunday with its message of new life is the high point of the
year.
Origins of Easter
Like most Christian festivals, Easter has its origins in
pre-Christian times. Our ancestors believed that the sun died in winter and was
born anew in spring. The arrival of spring was celebrated all over the world
long before the religious meaning became associated with Easter. Today, Easter
celebrates the rebirth of Christ.
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