Easter and The Flowering of the Cross

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Sun 27 Mar 2016

Easter brings out many traditions. The arrival of the wonderful yeast fruit hot cross buns. The four day long, long weekend. The popular culture symbols of Easter bunnies and Easter egg hunts. I have been asked by puzzled people in the past 'What day does the Easter bunny come again?' Easter Sunday is the day.



Fixing the Date of Easter
Easter is a moveable feast. It coincides with the first Sunday after (never on) the Paschal full moon. The Paschal full moon is the first full moon occurring on or after the spring equinox. It also appears as though a consensus on a fixed date for Easter are being discussed in earnest, with reports the heads of the Christian churches are close to sealing a deal. The Archbishop of Canterbury has revealed discussions across faiths are hoping to end more than a thousand years of confusion and debate on the timing of Easter. The agreed date would be either the second or third Sunday of April. Confirmation of this is expected to take between five and ten years.



The Story of Jesus
Easter is the story of Jesus. His birth, childhood and role as an itinerant preacher and healer. It culminates in his brutal and cruel betrayal and death on a cross, towards the empty burial tomb of Easter day and resurrection. Easter Sunday is known as Easter Day or Resurrection Sunday. The life and death of Jesus is relived.



Flowering of the Cross
Celebrations for Easter day include the making and giving of eggs as a symbol of new life. The flowering of the cross is another powerful way to acknowledge Easter. People gather in worship to place a flower or foliage on the old and barren wooden cross, which signifies the death of Jesus. It is then brought to life with colour and beauty as a living symbol of resurrection.



Resurrection
Resurrection happens all around us. As plants die by chance, design or natural disaster and are brought to life again. Easter is a time of faith and family, holidays and chocolate, with flowers blooming and hot cross buns. Easter experiences and traditions are not as easily packaged as in the Christmas season, but worth exploring on your four day break. Each faith community has their own worship traditions for Easter.

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#march
!date 27/03/2016 -- 27/03/2016
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