1. The Story of

2. Easter is a time of springtime festivals
Easter is a time of springtime festivals. In Christian countries Easter is celebrated as the religious holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God. But the celebrations of Easter have many customs and legends that are pagan in origin and have nothing to do with Christianity.

3. Theological significance
The New Testament teaches that the resurrection of Jesus, which Easter celebrates, is a foundation of the Christian faith.
The resurrection established Jesus as the powerful Son of God and is cited as proof that God will judge the world in righteousness.
God has given Christians "a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead". Christians, through faith in the working of God are spiritually resurrected with Jesus so that they may walk in a new way of life.

5. A movable Feast
Easter is observed by the churches of the West on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or following the spring equinox (March 2I). So Easter became a "movable" feast which can occur as early as March 22 or as late as April 25.
"The Sunday following the full Moon which falls on or after the equinox will give the lawful Easter."

6. Jesus’s entry in Jerusalem
Western Christianity
In Western Christianity, Easter marks the end of Lent, a period of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter, which lasts forty days (not counting Sundays).
the week before Easter, known as Holy Week, is very special in the Christian tradition. The Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday and the last three days before Easter are Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, which carries special meaning..  
Palm sunday …
Maundy
Thursday
Good Friday
Holy
Saturday
Easter
Sunday
Monday
the last supper
Jesus’s entry in Jerusalem
the Crucifixion

7. The Significance of Lent
The origins of Lent can be traced back to the footsteps of Jesus, who spent 40 days wandering in the desert wilderness, facing temptations from Satan. Jesus is believed to have overcome the devil's temptations through fasting and sincere repentance.

8. Celebrations:Why Easter Eggs?
Of all the symbols associated with Easter the egg, the symbol of fertility and new life, is the most identifiable.
Originally Easter eggs were painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring and were used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts. After they were colored and painted with various designs the eggs were exchanged by lovers and romantic admirers, much the same as valentines.

9. Easter Eggs Children color eggs by dipping them in cups of dye.
After they color the eggs, they put them in baskets.

12. Easter Egg Games
play an important part in Easter sports. Two traditional Easter egg games are the Easter egg hunts and the Easter Egg Roll.
On Easter morning the children of the house join in a search to locate the eggs that had been hidden while they where asleep. Sometimes prizes of candy are awaiting the child finding the most eggs. Easter egg hunts can are also part of a community's celebration of Easter.

13. Easter Egg Hunt Parents hide the eggs in the backyard.
When their children wake up on Easter, they look for the eggs and put them in their Easter baskets.

14. Easter Egg Roll
The rules of an Easter Egg Roll are to see who can roll an egg the greatest distance or can make the roll without breaking it, usually down a grassy hillside or slope.
Maybe the most famous egg rolling takes place on the White House Lawn. Hundreds of children come with baskets filled with brightly decorated eggs and roll them down the famous lawn, hoping the President of the United States is watching the fun.

16. The Easter Bunny
The Easter bunny has its origin in pre-Christian fertility lore. The Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile animals known and they served as symbols of the new life during the Spring season.
The bunny as an Easter symbol seems to have its origins in Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings in the 1500s. The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by the German settlers during the 1700s.

17. The Easter Bunny
The children would build their nest in a secluded place in the home, the barn or the garden. Boys would use their caps and girls their bonnets to make the nests .

19. The Easter Lily
The Easter Lily has become the traditional Easter flower. With all the different flowers available in the spring garden, it is this beautiful, white flower, that has come to symbolize the spiritual values of Easter: purity, life and renewel. The flower's trumpet shape is a reminder of the heralding of Jesus, returning triumphantly to Jerusalem.

20. Dinner Many families prepare a large meal on this special day.
Ham dinners are popular on Easter.

21. New Clothes People like to wear new clothes on Easter.
Females often wear dresses with floral prints and pretty hats.