Which came first – the chicken or the egg? Well, you can’t
have an egg without the chicken, right? But then again, how could the chicken
get here first when you can’t really have a chicken without an egg? Cliché as
it is, this is really a pretty good philosophical question. It is also a good
theological question as well because it has to do with creation and, following
logic, about God’s role in creation.
But I am not going to take this post in
that direction. I simply begin with this because this is Easter and the egg is
one of the most recognized symbols of Easter.
More importantly, Easter is one
of the few religious holidays in American culture that is still deeply rooted
in religious beliefs and traditions. The religion in this case is Christianity. Easter is the
time when Christians celebrate their belief in the resurrection. That means
that after Jesus died, he came back to human life. The purpose of this
resurrection was to further demonstrate 2 things: 1) he died in order to be the
absolute and final sacrifice for all humans for human sin; and 2) all humans
can have eternal life in heaven as demonstrated by
Jesus’ return to earth after physical death.
So what does this have to do with the egg? Well, the egg
symbolizes life and in Christian symbolism, it represents the tomb (grave) of Jesus’
death (because it sort of looks like a rock) and eternal life because life
comes from the egg.
As a symbol of life, the egg was a part of spiritual and
cultural beliefs long before Christianity. It was taken into Christian
symbolism as a natural transition after Jesus.
In present times, Americans enjoy Easter egg hunts usually
held on Saturday before Easter or on Sunday afternoon after church and a big
family lunch. Colorful eggs are hidden around in the grass, trees, under things
and perched in between things and then children race around to find them.
Many
Americans buy new clothes to wear to church on Easter Sunday. And of course,
food is always a big part of the celebration events. Families gather together
and either eat at someone’s home or they all go out to a restaurant together. Sometimes
churches will hold a potluck meal after the worship service.
Whether or not you believe the basic Christian premise –
that Jesus the man was God on earth in human form – I hope you will enjoy this
traditional Easter hymn.
Christ the Lord is risen
today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in
chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and
triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and
earth reply, Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is
done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the
battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him
rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened
paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious
King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now
thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to
save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory,
boasting grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ
has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted
Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him
we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave,
the skies, Alleluia!
Hail the Lord of earth
and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be
given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant
now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection,
thou, Alleluia!
King of glory, soul of
bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this,
Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power
to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to
love, Alleluia!
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