Easter

The Easter service is typically the most well-attended Sunday service of the year for Christian Churches as Christians celebrate the resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Christians believe (according to the scripture) that three days after his death on the cross, Jesus came back to life or was raised from the dead. As part of tne Easter season, the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion is commemorated on Good Friday, just before Easter. In Western Christianity, Easter marks the end of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline in preparation for Easter. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends Easter Sunday.

Symbols

The cross is a symbol of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus' resurrection is his victory over the power of sin and death. That is why the cross has become the major symbol for God's power to forgive sins and give new life to people. People often bake hot cross buns to symbolize this event. Another symbol associated with Easter is the lamb. The lamb is also associated with Jesus. He is often referred to in the Bible as the the "Lamb of God" (Revelation 5:6-14). John the Baptist described Jesus as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Lilies are also an Easter symbol and the white blossoms represent the purity of Jesus. The flowers, emerging from the earth in the spring, also symbolize new life and the resurrection of Christ. Palm branches represent when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday. People waved palm branches to welcome him and today, on Palm Sunday, Christians still carry palm branches in parades.