Is Easter a nothing celebration? Light hearted.

Christians have nabbed Easter for their celebration of new life in a different context - but we can all celebrate in our own ways.

Eggs, bunnies, chicks etc are pagan traditions anyway, symbols of spring and new life.

When Christianity reached our shores, the pagan festival of Saturnalia became linked with Christmas while Easter absorbed the traditions of Eostre.

My family has never done anything really at Easter except an Easter egg when I was small Same for my own children Now my family is so scattered over the world there’s no thought of getting together or anything like that even if we wanted to

So it’s never been more than a spring start
I wish I could believe in all the religious stories I do try but obviously don’t try hard enough

Easter is the most important date in the Christian calendar, more important than Christmas to be honest.
It’s certainly not “bah humbug” to Christians.
The giving of eggs is traditionally on Easter Sunday to represent new life, light etc, and the end of Lent, but is also tied up with many other festivals from the past.
Thankfully, it’s not as frantic (yet) as Christmas has become, though I’m sure many commercial enterprises will try hard to make it so. I love Christmas time in its truest sense, but Easter is extra special.

sodapop

I think it's a shame to say Easter is bah humbug when it's such an important date in the Christian calendar. Even if you are not Christian it's a bit disrespectful

Hear, hear!

I am saddened that there are people whose education or background has not given them even the most rudimentary understanding of the Easter story or is traditions.
(PS Easter eggs on Easter Sunday Honeysuckleberries - or as close as you can get, if you are still wondering)

Have been to a Good Friday service this morning, and will go to another service on Easter Day.

I’m not a ‘Holier than Thou’ religious person, but to me it’s just not about Easter eggs and hot cross buns.

Easter is a far more enjoyable festival to me than Christmas, less hype, spring coming, and when I was still at work, a guaranteed four days off in succession, unlike Christmas.

It’s not celebrated by us as a religious weekend, but I can remember when working, the joy of a long weekend.
If I’m covid free, we’ll have family here Sunday for a bbq, first time we’ve all been together since the last one in 2021, family is a reason to celebrate for us.

I think it's a shame to say Easter is bah humbug when it's such an important date in the Christian calendar. Even if you are not Christian it's a bit disrespectful

Grandetante as children we were told the "egg" represented the stone that was rolled away from the tomb on that first easter(catholic upbringing ) we painted ours as I'm sure most grannies here would have and rolled them down a local hill.

I’m an atheist but have fond memories of childhood Easters, Palm Sunday, church parades, fish supper on Good Friday, a new dress for Easter Sunday and church. We had little money but there was such a spirit of community in those mean streets.

I still feel it’s a special time of growth and renewal and we have our own rituals now.

Every year on the Wednesday before Easter we buy hot x buns from our local independent family run baker and eat them toasted and buttered in the evening. Good Friday is still fish for tea. Easter Sunday is lunch with family. Eggs are given on Easter Sunday, though nowadays I just buy an egg each for Mr. B and I. Easter Monday is a quiet day watching whatever is happening on the Marina and probably eating the delicious Kennedys chocolate eggs.

Not religious but always celebrate the arrival of Spring ,look forward to May my favourite month and the colour that arrives with it(probably got to the south this month) and the end of a long winter .Kids are a bit old for egg hunts now but there will be eggs for all even Mr Paddy ,though he's already filched two of the spares ,the ones I buy in case unepected visitors arrive .Making an Easter cake today and having all the family on Sunday for dinner.A first since covid .

There is no religious reason for an Easter egg being of chocolate, so if you are worried about obesity, give a small non-edible gift instead

Eggs, bunnies, chicks etc are pagan traditions anyway, symbols of spring and new life.

There is a lovely easter programme on gbnews right now (236) an oasis of calm

Easter is both a sad and joyful time. Today there's sadness for those of us who think of Jesus' suffering on the cross, then Sunday is a day to rejoice in His resurrection.

Easter eggs, eggs signifying new life are a part of the Easter celebrations but as you say grandtante they don't have to be made of chocolate and a non-edible gift is always an alternative.

I may not be able to go to Mass on Easter Sunday, due to Lunch etc but will go this evening for the Stations of the Cross.

Some very interesting posts, thank you all very much. It’s my birthday tomorrow so perhaps I can stick a candle in a hot cross bun instead. Wishing you all a happy weekend.

I cannot imagine that any religious holiday can mean much to anyone who is not a member of the particular religion that celebrates it.

As a Christian both Christmas, Easter and Whit have enormous significance for me.

I honestly do not know why non-believers celebrate these days.

It is fine by me if they do and equally fine if they don't.

I respect other religions, but don't celebrate their festivals.

Easter eggs should first be given and eaten on Easter Sunday, as Lent does not end until midnight on Easter Saturday.

There is no religious reason for an Easter egg being of chocolate, so if you are worried about obesity, give a small non-edible gift instead.

I am not really superstitious but my Gran always said you should never do a laundry wash on Good Friday as it will bring you bad luck! So ridiculous but as I loaded the machine this morning, I didn't switch it on remembering those words.

I love Easter Sunday, we will go to Mass with our son and daughter in law who will be staying with us then drink champagne in the garden and enjoy a roast turkey.

No chocolate.

It represents the day my Lord died to save me from my sins and I always feel a bit of a mix of happiness and sadness. Sunday is happier.

Easter is big for us. I have three small children so it's all about the magic.

We're completely atheist so no religion just chocolate and fun.

When I was a child almost all the shops were closed on Good Friday. Now it’s treated just like an ordinary working day, which I find sad.

Easter for me is confirmation that the long days of winter are over for another year and the season of renewal and rebirth has begun. It's a time to be preparing the garden, planting vegetables, looking forward to holidays and planning on spending more time outdoors with friends and family. The Easter weekend always includes a family meal or picnic together that centres around an Easter egg hunt for the grandchildren. It's an important and special time for us.

I remember as a child Good Friday was a sombre day. We used to watch whatever religious film was on in the afternoon after our fish dinner.
I remember crying when the hymn "There is a green hill far away" was sung.
Sunday was full of chocolate and fun.

I don`t celebrate it as such,i do give easter eggs to family and have a christmas type dinner.
Other than that it`s just another sunday.

Easter was from the distant past, and still is, about the celebration of new life - buds bursting into flower, hedges turning that magic pale yellow/green as the new leaves emerge, daffodils, birds dashing back and forth collecting nesting material, lambs (hmm - I can't help thinking where they will be in a few months time)........ Christians have nabbed Easter for their celebration of new life in a different context - but we can all celebrate in our own ways.

I will be on my own this time - DGD has covid - they were coming for lunch on Sunday - now what do I do with a small turkey! - love it, but can't eat it all by myself!