It is Good Friday and as per most years I find myself pondering this question. Yes why is it called this? According to christian belief isn’t it the day Jesus died? Death is not good is it? This is where christian’s will tell me ‘he died so that we might live, ‘yes I was schooled in the U.K and religion was compulsory. Still it doesn’t sound good to me, even taking into account the concept of his sacrifice for our good. I am not a christian. I tend to tick the box ‘spiritual not religious’ when such knowledge is requested. My mother tells me the day was originally God Friday and changed over time, now this makes sense, I can go with that.
That leads me on to Easter and its origins. As with all of our celebrations and feasts it has been taken over by the christian religion. Naturally it is the time to celebrate the spring equinox and growth and the end of winter. Eostre, Eastre, Ostara, these are old names for the season, relating directly to an Anglo-Saxon goddess. Many christian’s dislike this connection and prefer to deny it, but it is the history.
I hope here that I am not offending anyone, with my non-christian musings, it is not my intention. Easter is a time of renewal, of re-birth, new beginnings and light. I sit here now enjoying the idea, spring fills me with optimism and enthusiasm. On Sunday I will be celebrating my mother’s birthday, with friends and family and so it has a personal meaning.
For most, Easter is a day of Easter eggs, chocolate and a long bank holiday weekend. Time away from work and school, for families to be together. Time to fill and enjoy. We are a multi- faith world now and Christianity is no longer our only option. Other religions reject or embrace Easter according to their teachings.
I prefer the natural element of the time, I embrace spring and all its growing glory and look forward to eating a chocolate egg. I am like a young child and love Easter eggs, in the past I would stock up on them early or snatch up those languishing on supermarket shelves following the date. There were always bargains, that is no longer the case, cost of living has pushed up prices and I am no longer comfortable spending on such chocolate, so its a chocolate free house for us. Luckily, thankfully, I know my mum has still gone for it.
Then there is the Easter Bunny, what is that all about? I will just say Easter for me is a versatile celebration of life.
Enjoy your chocolate eggs and bunny hunts!
Chris.xx
Living With ME 