Easter Celebration: Just the Facts

By David A. Edwards

Church Magazines

Here are some things you may not have known about the celebration of Easter.

Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem

What do you know about Easter? You probably know the most important part: It’s a celebration of Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice and Resurrection.

There may be some questions you have about Easter and how it’s celebrated by most people, as well as why we’re focusing on it the way we are. Here are answers to a few such questions.

What are Palm Sunday and Holy Week?

Holy Week celebrates the last week of Jesus Christ’s mortal ministry. Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week. It celebrates the day of Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, riding on a young donkey, in fulfillment of prophecy. People spread palm branches and clothing on the ground before Him, shouting, “Hosanna.” (See Matthew 21:6–11.) This occurred exactly one week before Jesus Christ’s Resurrection, which is celebrated on Easter, the last day of Holy Week. This week also includes Good Friday (commemorating Christ’s Crucifixion and burial).

When did Christians first start celebrating Easter?

The earliest record we have an Easter celebration of any sort comes from the middle of the second century (sometime between 160 and 170 A.D.). However, Christians had probably been commemorating Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection in some manner since much earlier times. Because those who follow Jesus Christ believe His atoning work, culminating in the Resurrection, is the most important event in the history of all humankind, it makes sense that they would have celebrated these events since the earliest days of Christianity. Today we can celebrate Christ’s Atonement and Resurrection every Sunday as we partake of the sacrament.

Why does the date of Easter move around so much every year?

It’s a little complicated, but the basic calculation for Easter Sunday is: It’s the first Sunday after the “paschal full moon,” which is the first full moon after the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere (March 21). (It’s actually a little more complicated than that, but this will do.)

The reason for this formula has to do with two facts: (1) the Savior’s Crucifixion occurred during the Passover, and (2) His Resurrection occurred on the first day of the week (Sunday).

Early Christians debated whether it was more important to celebrate Easter on the Passover or on a Sunday. The Passover is a Jewish feast tied to the Hebrew calendar, which is a lunar calendar that doesn’t align with the solar calendar most people use. On the Hebrew calendar, the Passover is celebrated on the 14th day, of the seventh month. Plus, every two or three years, it adds an extra month to stay in sync with the seasons. So, tying Easter to Passover meant that the date would jump around quite a lot and only rarely be on a Sunday.

To settle the question, a Christian council in 325 A.D. decided to unify the date on which Easter is celebrated.

So, long story short: Based on the calculation used by most Christians, Easter Sunday can come as early as March 22 or as late as April 25.

How did bunnies and eggs come to be associated with Easter?

Easter bunnies (or other animals) delivering eggs started showing up in Europe in the 17th century. These things didn’t become common until the 19th century. It’s believed that people borrowed them from non-Christian symbols of springtime, renewal, and life and then connected them to Easter and Jesus Christ’s Resurrection.

Why are we focusing so much on Easter?

The First Presidency has asked us to elevate our Easter celebrations. “No matter what others believe or do, we should celebrate the Resurrection of our living Savior by studying His teachings and helping to establish Easter traditions in our society as a whole, especially within our own families. We challenge you to do so” (Dallin H. Oaks, “He Is Risen!: A Special Easter Season Message from the First Presidency” [video], Gospel Library).