“If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.” Paul’s words in I Cor. 15 are powerful. Sometimes we look at Easter and the resurrection as just a part of Christianity – but the reality is it is the most important part of Christianity. Sometimes we miss the magnitude of what happened on the cross, and the power that is ours in the resurrection. Most Christians observe Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Meanwhile, the eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate Easter later because of additional factors in calculating the date of Easter.

Easter is a major religious festival of Christians celebrated in a grand manner with feasts, fasting and prayer. Every nation has its own way of celebrating this particular festivity.

Easter Traditions in USA

In New Orleans, it is a trend of conducting an annual Easter carnival called ‘Mardi Gras’, which features lots of fun activities like parade, jazz music bands and a bumper party. A must play Easter game for American kids is Easter egg roll. A special dish for Easter springtime in USA is baked ham, potatoes and vegetables. Another most demanding recipe is hot cross buns. It was in the early 1700’s, when for the first time, eggs were dyed and the credit for starting this practice in America can be attributed to Pennsylvania Dutch (German) settlers. As a part of Easter traditions in the US, sunrise services are held and the prime motive is to include various Christian religious groups in this event. Painting the Easter eggs and then conducting Easter egg hunt games for the kids is what most American parents do on the Easter week.

Easter in Germany

German Easter traditions are very important, Easter along with Christmas is the most important holiday in Germany. It is not uncommon to see trees decorated with beautiful, hand painted eggs during the Easter season. The eggs are carefully blown, painted, and preserved to be used over and over throughout the years. This trend has extended to the outdoors, with colorful plastic eggs adorning the trees. Children in Germany often enjoy a game called “Chocolate Kiss” – a mouth-watering game where kids gobble up chocolate covered marshmallows. Easter trees, small trees or branches, decorated with eggs, have long been a part of German Easter celebration. A major part of the holiday is the intricate Easter meal served after a long period of severe fasting. The most important Easter symbols are spring flowers, eggs, chickens, hares and lambs.

Easter in France

Easter is called Pâques in France. It is one of the most important holiday celebrations for French children. The children receive colorfully decorated eggs. The French begin their Easter season several weeks before Easter actually begins. Shop windows are decorated in a festive collection of white and dark chocolate rabbits, chickens, bells and fish. Much of this occurs in other countries, but bells and fish are an important part of the French Easter tradition. Chickens and rabbits are popular Easter symbols in many countries. Chocolate fish are available in most shops. The real “Poisson d’Avril”, however, appearance on April 1st. French children play an ‘April Fool’s’ trick. They stick a paper fish on the back of as many adults as possible–most of whom are quite tolerant. The children then run away yelling “Poisson d’Avril!” which means “April Fish”. Cloche volant or Flying Bells are another important part of the French Easter tradition. The bells bring with them chocolate and eggs which are left in yards for the children to collect in their baskets when they wake up in the morning.

Easter in Africa

According to Father Stephen O’Werema, Easter is a very special time for African Christians. The celebration of Easter Mass is so popular that Christians often arrive as much as 4 hours early to claim a seat in the Church. The Church is commonly decorated with Vitenge and Kanga, clothes in the form of butterflies and flowers. An Easter dinner is served afterwards, with traditional dancing and celebrations.

Easter in Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, not only do people color Easter eggs, they celebrate Easter with a family egg fight! The winner of the egg fight is seen as the most successful family member in the coming year. It is considered one of the most fun traditions for Bulgarians during the Easter season. Kolaches, a tasty bread, is enjoyed at Easter time as well.

The Celebration of Easter Is the Celebration of the Triumph of Life Over Death

Dedicated to the honor of Christ who gave his life for the sins of His loved ones, it is a great festival to the Christians all over the world. It is joyous because it was on Easter He had shown himself. Though there are many differences in the way Easter is celebrated throughout the World, many still consider the resurrection of Christ to be the focal point of the holiday. Whether celebrations last one day only or the entire Lenten season it is truly a memorable time for all Christians.

DetailXPerts Would Like to Celebrate Easter With You.

Have your car detailed by a DetailXPerts professional during 18th-24th of April and you will receive a complimentary Easter gift to sweeten your life for the holiday.