How did Easter derive its name?
Excellent question considering that Easter Sunday is in two days.
Apparently someone asked this question more than a thousand years ago too, because all the sources I've found all say that Bede The Venerable, a late 7th century Christian historian and scholar from England has a good answer. Bede says that Easter's name comes from the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre, associated with spring and fertility, and celebrated around the vernal equinox. So there you go. As Christmas was moved to coincide with (and supplant) the pagan celebration of winter, Easter was likely moved to coincide and replace the pagan celebration of spring. And while we're at it, the Easter Bunny comes from these pagan rites of spring as well, but more from pagan Germany than pagan Britain.
Honestly I never thought too much about why they named the day of Jesus' resurrection Easter until my good friend Matt (who hasn't returned my last 3 phone calls *ahem*) started greeting everyone with "Happy Resurrection Day!" during Easter season. Ever since then I've been saying that to everyone when they say "Happy Easter" to me. It's just a much better description of what the holiday represents. I know I wouldn't want to go around virtually saying to everyone "Happy Fertility Goddess Day!"
posted by Ken @ 1:19 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Here's a question: Why is it that your good friend MAtt has not returned your phone calls?
Good question Matt, I have no clue. Maybe he's just not my good friend anymore, maybe just friend, or maybe he's a bad friend. Maybe he's just too busy playing with his kids because they are so hilarious ... who knows. You should ask him about it.
Maybe he's sick. That would be my guess. Maybe he barely has the strength to get on the phone.
One thing is for sure, it's certainly not that he doesn't want to be your good friend.
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