Easter… New Life, Rebirth and Hope

The calendar may indicate March 20^th as the official first day of spring, but many may consider Easter the unofficial start of spring, as it symbolizes new life, rebirth and hope.

Easter is a movable feast, which means it does not fall on a fixed date every year, its date is determined on a lunisolar calendar.

The word “Easter” originates from the Saxon pagan festival honoring the Goddess “Eastre”, who’s symbol is the rabbit. This may be where the notion of the Easter Bunny came from.

To Christians Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It offers us the hope of everlasting life.

There are many facts about Easter, that you may or may not know about. Here are just a few to share with you.

• The first story of the Easter Bunny hiding eggs was published in 1680.
• The White House Easter Egg Roll was initiated by Dolly Madison, wife of President James Madison in 1814 and was held on the grounds of the capital. President Rutherford B. Hayes moved it to the White House lawn in 1878.
• The implementation of celebrating Easter in the United States did not reach popularity until sometime around the civil war.
• Approximately 1.5 billion “Peeps” are sold for Easter.
• Americans spend 1.9 billion on Easter candy and of that 70% of it is chocolate.
• Egg dyes were once made out o natural materials, such as onion peels, tree bark, flower petals and juices.

Of course, we can’t forget about the traditions that are associated with Easter.

• Sunrise service
• Serving Ham (which is the most common meat)
• Dyeing eggs
• The Easter Bunny
• Chocolate Bunnies
• Easter Baskets
• Egg Hunts (the first game ever invented)
• Jelly Beans

Easter is celebrated all over the world, with countries celebrating in very different ways.

Spain – Celebrates with 52 different religions parading through the streets, manifesting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The daily procession of marching bands and decorated candlelit floats with Baroque Statues illustrating the Easter story.

Sweden – Easter is a lot like our Halloween. Children dress up as Easter Witches and go from home to home in their neighborhoods trading paintings and drawings in hope of receiving sweet treats.

Bermuda – Locals celebrate by flying home-made kites, which symbolizes Christ’s ascension to Heaven.

Germany – Easter Eggs are displayed on trees. The tree will have thousands of multi-colored eggs hanging from them.

As Easter is one of the most important religious holidays for Christians, churches will start to gear up and renew their sanctuaries for the many services that will be held during Holy Week.

If you are in need of new church furnishings, we have a variety of items to fit your décor.

1. NO 810W, Church Wood Pulpit. This Beautiful Walk-In Wood Pulpit is ideal for all your presentation needs.

2. NO 815, Communion Table.  A solid wood Communion table which is a great match for the NO 810W and NO 811 Series Pulpits.

3. NC2W, Prestige Speaker Stand. Designed as an accent piece for your platform or as a secondary podium, the Speaker is expertly crafted, light, portable and durable.

4. NO 900 FLW, Flower Stand. 900 Pedestal Flower Stand.  Great Match with the Communion Tables and Podiums. 

5. NC5/NC5G, Prestige Glass Offering Box. Floor Model Style Offering Box in glass and oak with handles and key-locking side panel.

6. TWP-105 Set, Church Pulpit Set. This Winged Pulpit Set is ideal for all your presentation needs.

 Please see our website at www.podiumsdirect.com, for more church furnishings.

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