Easter celebration in Christendom is an important time as it signifies the essence of Christianity and marks the central event of the Christian faith: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For Christians it represents victory of life over death and is a source of hope and renewed faith for all believers. It is a time when a lot of Christians reflect on their faith and commitment to living a life that embodies the teachings and life of Jesus Christ and try to make amends where necessary. During this time there is a great deal of spiritual awareness, compassion, and a quest for reconciliation. Although there is no recurring or fixed date for Easter each year, Easter Sunday usually falls between March 22nd and April 25th every year. The exact date of Easter for each year is determined using a calculation known as the Computus (this is the Latin word for Computation) and based on this calculation Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox.
Easter is preceded by lent which is a season of fasting, physic al and spiritual discipline. The week prior to Easter Sunday is called “Holy week” and during this week, the life of Jesus Christ leading up to his death is commemorated, it includes Palm Sunday (which we called “Jesus Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem” in childhood Sunday School days) , Holy Thursday and Good Friday. These events culminate in the final day of celebrations of Jesus’ resurrection: Easter Sunday, this is a time of celebration, singing, dancing eating at church services.
As a child growing up, Easter was a fun time in the year when we got to celebrate somewhat like Christmas but not quite and attend so many church services. We had less pay time with friends because a lot of friends would go for Easter camp and come back home with tales of the camp and exploits. We would have extended family members visit, and of course the Easter Term holiday in full swing so no worries about going to school or attending extra lessons. We also got to eat as much as wanted, whatever we wanted and when we wanted it and sometimes if we were extra lucky that year, we got new clothes too.
While it is true that Christmas maybe the most talked about and celebrated, perhaps because of the significant commercialisation of the event and period or perhaps because it is around the end of the year and therefore somehow incorporates more people in around the world. This is not to say Easter does not have its fair share of secularization and commercialization, as seen from events around this time like the treasure hunts for Easter eggs, sales of Easter eggs, Easter bunnies and even Easter parades in some countries, and other non- Christian traditions that are not directly drawn from the essence of the Easter celebrations and its significance to Christians.
