The Story Behind the Traditions and Symbols Easter Explained for Kids

Easter traditions and how people celebrate Easter. So first off, what is Easter? Well, Easter is a Christian celebration. Christians believe that Jesus died on Good Friday and rose again on Easter Sunday. Because of this, during Easter time, Christians also celebrate new life. Lots of Christians will visit churches during Easter time. Some churches will hold special services for Easter. During church, Christians will sing hymns and songs and read special prayers. They will also listen to stories of Jesus's life and the Easter story of how Jesus died and rose again. Lilies, daffodils and tulips are most often used to decorate during Easter. Flowers remind people of new life. Christians will often plant flowers or bulbs during Easter. Many people celebrate Easter with Easter eggs. Most of the time, the eggs are made of chocolate, but sometimes they are real. Some people often boil eggs so that they are hard and they will be good to decorate and to be used as part of their Easter display. Eggs are an important part of Easter because they remind Christians of new life. They also remind Christians of the stone that was used in the entrance to Jesus's tomb. Chocolate Easter eggs are often given out as gifts during Easter. A hot cross bun is a sweet bun made with spices, currants and raisins. Normally, hot cross buns are eaten at the end of Lent. This is because they are made of a food that is traditionally not eaten during Lent. The cross decoration on the top of the bun reminds Christians of the crucifixion of Jesus. It is tradition to eat hot cross buns during Good Friday, but lots of people will have them any time over Easter. Many people will eat a special dinner on Easter Sunday. Usually, family and friends will get together to celebrate. The dinner is usually a roast dinner, quite often roast lamb, with potatoes and vegetables. This is very similar to a Christmas dinner, only with less turkey and sprouts. Let's take a look at just some of the many symbols that we associate with Easter. Easter eggs and baby chicks Eggs have been a symbol of spring since ancient times. Eggs and chicks symbolise new life through the chick hatching from the egg. The rabbit, or hare, was a symbol of abundant new life in ancient times. It reminds us of spring and new life. Easter lilies The white flowers symbolise the purity of Jesus. They also symbolise new life and the resurrection of Christ. The lamb The lamb represents Jesus, the Lamb of God. The cross The cross symbolises Jesus' victory over death. Jesus rose from the dead after being put on a cross to die. Palm branches The palm branches represent when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem. The day is now called Palm Sunday. People wave palm branches to welcome him. And finally, hot cross buns. The top of the bun is decorated with plain flour in a cross shape. This reminds us of Jesus and how he died for us on the cross. As you can see, many of these symbols are representing new life. This is because over Easter, we share the story of when Jesus died and then rose from the dead days later. And this is why many of these symbols represent new life, because it reminds Christians of Jesus. So how are you celebrating Easter this year? And what are your traditions? Let us know in the comments below.