“The word “Easter” comes from a pagan figure called Eastre (or Eostre) who was celebrated as the goddess of spring by the Saxons of Northern Europe. A festival called Eastre was held during the spring equinox by these people to honor her. The goddess Eastre’s earthly symbol was the rabbit, which was also known as a symbol of fertility. Since rabbits and hares give birth to large litters in the early spring, it’s understandable that the rabbit is the symbol of fertility.”The legend of the Easter Bunny bringing eggs appears to have been brought to the United States by settlers from southwestern Germany. The German tradition of the Easter Bunny or “Oschter Haws” migrated to America in the 1800s, likely accompanying German immigrants, many of whom settled in Pennsylvania. Over the past 200 years, the Easter Bunny has become the most commercially recognized symbol of Easter.
In legend, the Easter Bunny, also called the Easter Hare and the Spring Bunny, brings baskets filled with colored eggs, candy, and sometimes toys to the homes of children on the night before Easter, in much the same way as Santa Claus is said to deliver presents on Christmas Eve. The Easter Bunny will either put the baskets in a designated place or hide them somewhere in the house or garden for the children to find when they wake up in the morning, giving rise to the tradition of the Easter egg hunt.
Should Christian parents allow their children to participate in traditional activities that refer to the Easter Bunny? This is a question both parents and church leaders struggle with. There is nothing essentially evil about the Easter Bunny, unless it is used to promote the goddess of spring or fertility rites. What is important is our focus. If our focus is on Christ and not the Easter Bunny, our children will understand that, like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny is merely a symbol. As with Christmas, Easter should be a time to reflect upon and celebrate the incarnation, the resurrection and the risen Christ.
Tags: Easter bunny, Easter Egg, Resurrection
honestly in my opinion i believe that kids show still have fun with other children and do many egg hunts and candy as possible. i was brought up that way. HOWEVER, my parents told me ever since i understood about the easter bunny of what the true meaning of easter. i was brought up that the easter bunny was a friend of God and wanted to send chocolate down from heaven. (a cute way to say that God loves us and to never forget about him and the TRUE meaning of Easter). same goes for Christmas. i was brought up taught that Santa Clause is the best friend of God and Santa talk to God of whose been good and whose been naughty.
so dont hold back that children of having fun with other children. and we never know that if our children tell other children of Christ and the true meaning, THEY did something good for the Lord.
Let’s say that every 4th of April a cult that practices puppy sacrifices has a mass ceremony in honor of a god named Thirstos who is attributed control over human thirst. (this is supposed to sound weird) In order to please their God and prevent a shortage in drinking water they kill millions of the cutest puppies in the world on one night annually. About 400 years later, people decide to make a holiday celebrating the miracle of Jesus turning the water to wine. They decide to call it Thirstous Day in honor of the miracle but in reference to the thirst God mentioned before. Every April 4th kids celebrate Jesus’ miracle by wearing puppy masks and having water bottle hunts in which water bottles with differnt patterns painted on them are hidden and filled with candy. Assuming you lived long enough (the full 400 years) to witness both the original ceremony and modern-day holiday, would you allow your child to participate? hmmmm….food for thought
ironically i don’t mind the Easter bunny and actually enjoy easter egg hunts but it’s an interesting thought
I agree with this blog. There is no harm or evil in the picture of an Easter Bunny or the celebration of it, just as long as it does not interfere with the true reason for Easter. The true reason which is the resurrection of Christ. If all of these lavish meals or Easter egg hunts take away from the meaning of Easter then it becomes an evil practice because nothing should take the place of what we know to be the truth that took place on Easter.
Easter should be looked upon as christmas is looked at with Santa. Wasn’t the idea of Santa brought up from some different religion? Just as Christmas should be looked at as a celebration of Christs birth rather than a day where kids get gifts from Santa, Easter should be celebrated as the day Jesus rose from the grave rather than the Easter Bunny coming and leaveing something, and going easter egg hunting.
I completely agree with you. As long as children understand that Jesus is the main focus of easter and not the easter bunny, i dont see a problem with it. I know of some parents who really do see believing in such things is a sin but in reality, as long as they communicate with there children and hold firm with them the importance and the significance of the Word, a little imagination never hurt anyone.