Happy Easter!

It is the most celebrated day in Christianity besides the birth of Jesus: Easter is today, April 16, 2017. Easter celebrates Jesus’ resurrection from the dead following his crucifixion and death on Good Friday in the Christian faith .

The date of Easter is celebrated anywhere from March 22 through April 25. The proximity of the date is decided by the first full moon after the vernal equinox (the first day of spring). Depending on the date of the full moon, Easter falls right after. This year, the full moon was scheduled for later in the season, thus resulting in the fairly late Easter date.

Easter, as we know, it has its origins in two places. The secular portion of Easter is believed to be have been celebrated as early as the second century for a Roman deity associated with spring. Easter for Christians has its origins in Passover. Passover is a Jewish festival commemorating the ancient Israelites’ exodus from Egypt.

Today, Easter continues to be a celebrated religious and secular holiday. For many Christians, the holiday is one of the most important holidays of the year, as it celebrates the life and death of the most crucial figure in their belief system. For those celebrating for secular purposes, Easter is a day to celebrate with the family and enjoy the offerings of spring, the season that ushers in a new cycle of life and opportunity. However you choose to celebrate the day, enjoy it with those that you love. Happy Easter from all of us at the Jefferson County Post.