{"id":204,"date":"2010-03-08T19:42:00","date_gmt":"2010-03-09T03:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sharefaithblog.wpengine.com\/?p=204"},"modified":"2017-10-09T10:46:07","modified_gmt":"2017-10-09T17:46:07","slug":"easter-bunnies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sharefaith.com\/blog\/2010\/03\/easter-bunnies\/","title":{"rendered":"Easter Bunnies?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Easter<\/div>\n

\u201cSo, what\u2019s with the bunny on Easter?\u201d I\u2019ve often wondered that myself. Easter is a day that is celebrated the world round, but where did things like rabbits, candy, and colored eggs come from? In the weeks leading up to Easter, we\u2019ll try to unpack some of the accretions and traditions surrounding the Easter holiday. Hopefully, we\u2019ll be able to demystify some things and point to the real importance of Easter, as you get ready for this important day.<\/p>\n

Easter Bunnies?<\/h2>\n

Origins of the Easter Bunny<\/b><\/h3>\n

We have our German ancestors to thank for introducing the bunny to modern Easter celebrations. It is somewhat like the Santa tradition of Christmastime. On the evening just before Easter, kids would put place handmade baskets or nests around the house. If they had been good, they Easter Bunny would leave colored eggs in the basket. The tradition probably began in early medieval time, and was brought to American by German immigrants.<\/p>\n

But why the bunny? <\/b><\/h3>\n

The question still exists. Why a bunny? Part of the traditions surrounding Easter is connected to a Germanic fertility goddess by the name of Ostara, otherwise known as Eostre or Easter. One of the traditions connected with this goddess involved rabbits, probably because rabbits are prolific breeders. Thus, an egg-laying rabbit\u2014eggs, and rabbits being two symbols of life and fertility\u2014matched the ideas surrounding the pagan Easter. While the ancient pagans were celebrating the earth\u2019s fertility after the dearth of winter, Christians appropriated this springtime ritual to celebrate Jesus who from the dead. It is important to note, of course, that Easter is not a pagan holiday. In future posts, we\u2019ll explain why paganism and Christian traditions are sometimes intermixed at Easter time.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/b><\/h3>\n

It is unfortunate that bunnies get more attention than the realities of Easter. Let us strive to focus on Jesus Christ\u2014crucified and raised to life again. Please check out the Easter media collection<\/a> to see how you can further emphasize the message in your Easter Sunday services.<\/p>\n

Suggestion<\/b><\/h3>\n

Here is an Easter Christian Video<\/a> that displays the power and grandeur of the resurrection.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cSo, what\u2019s with the bunny on Easter?\u201d I\u2019ve often wondered that myself. Easter is a day that is celebrated the world round, but where did things like rabbits, candy, and colored eggs come from? In the weeks leading up to Easter, we\u2019ll try to unpack some of the accretions and traditions surrounding the Easter holiday. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[2307,4154,405],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-204","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-christian-lifestyle","7":"category-church-resources-church-resources","8":"category-pastor-how-to"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\nEaster Bunnies? 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