Ostereier und Osterhase
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Why we celebrate Easter

In the supermarket, on posters and on the Internet. From the beginning of spring we see Easter bunnies and colourful Easter eggs everywhere. But why is this so? Where does this custom come from? Why do people celebrate Easter? All these questions and more will be answered here:

At the time Jesus lived, the Jewish Passover was celebrated in Jerusalem every year. Many Jews traveled to this celebration to spend several days celebrating the Jewish custom together. Families sacrificed an Easter lamb for this festival. Since Jesus was also a Jew, he took part in this festival. He rode with a donkey to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The people there were happy to have Jesus at their side and cheered him. Meanwhile, the Romans had occupied Jerusalem. So the Jews hoped that Jesus would come to deliver them from the Romans. The Romans, however, did not want a "King of the Jews". They feared the popularity of Jesus.

At that time, on Holy Thursday, Jesus celebrated Holy Communion with his disciples. They drank wine together, Jesus needed bread and they ate together. As it is the custom in the church today. Jesus knew that this would be his last supper. He knew that in that night he would be betrayed. He foresaw that as soon as the cock crowed three times in the morning, he would be betrayed. And so it happened. Judas, one of his disciples, betrayed him to the Romans. He showed the Romans where Jesus was and was given a sack of gold in return. So Jesus was arrested by the Romans and later sentenced to death on the cross by the placeholder Pilate. Jesus was to be crucified. He even had to carry up his own cross. The Roman soldiers mocked him as "King of the Jews". They made a crown for him out of thorny branches. Jesus had to wear it. When Jesus was crucified and died, women and joy mourned for him. The women wrapped Jesus in cloths and laid him in a cave. In front of it, they rolled a big, heavy stone to seal the tomb. 

As a sign of mourning and reflection on the sufferings of Jesus Christ on the cross, on Friday (Good Friday) no meat is eaten, only fish. The fish is a significant symbol in the Christian faith. The Holy Saturday is considered the day of rest in the grave.

On the third day, Easter Sunday, something very extraordinary happened.  The women who had brought Jesus to the tomb found an empty height. The stone had rolled to the side. Suddenly an angel appeared. The angel told the women that Jesus had risen from the dead. When the women told the disciples about Jesus' resurrection, they did not believe it at first. Only when an unknown gentleman in a white robe broke the bread at the meal did the disciples recognize that it was Jesus. Therefore the resurrection of Jesus is celebrated on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday

Why are there Easter eggs at Easter?

Easter eggs are a symbol for the new beginning of a life.  A cute chick hatches from its shell - a new life. Little by little the eggs were painted and decorated. Easter egg painting is fun for young and old!

Where does the Easter bunny come from?

The Easter Bunny symbolises fertility.  Because hares get especially much offspring. The Easter celebration should make clear that death does not mean the end. After death a new life is created and there is always a new beginning. The Easter Bunny brings the Easter eggs and Easter presents according to the current custom at Easter. These are hidden by him.

Why do we bake an Easter lamb?

The Easter lamb is a reminder of the custom of lamb sacrifice at the Pasha festival.  The Jews sacrificed a lamb for God. If you feel like baking an Easter lamb yourself, you can find a recipe here

 We wish you a happy Easter, good health and luck finding Easter eggs! 

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