EASTER- Jesus’ death is most worthy of being celebrated! See 1 Corinthians 15
To Christians around the world, Easter is the oldest and most important Christian holiday of the year. The purest meaning of Easter is the celebration of the resurrection or rising of Christ to heaven, which is the foundation of Christianity. Easter Sunday reminds all Christians of their heavenly calling and of the open door for relationship with God through Jesus, His Son. Easter is 
the day of rejoicing that follows the sorrow of Good Friday. This is the celebration of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. It bears witness to God’s enduring promise of eternal life. Jesus is the Son of God and he lived a sinless life and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
Easter is a time of rejoicing for Christians. Zion Lutheran commemorates Easter Sunday with a sunrise service with special prayers, psalms, hymns, music, trumpets, and a special sermon. As the climax of Holy Week, Easter is a time of hope and assurance. It is humanity's turning point from destruction to glory and salvation.
Christians believe that just as Jesus rose from the dead, that they too will rise from the dead and ascend into Heaven. This is not meant to be a time that concentrates on death and sorrow, but rather a time that celebrates the fact that Jesus did rise from the dead, just as prophesied in the Holy Bible. Christians have found hope, faith, and love in this miracle of renewed life.
What about the Easter bunny and dyeing and hiding eggs? The tradition of the Easter Bunny has its origins with the Saxons, who would adorn their villages with rabbits carved from wood. Rabbits and eggs, for example, are also pagan symbols that are widely used to represent fertility. The egg is a symbol of happiness and celebration as it signifies new life. It has become common
tradition for children to find this "new life" and celebrate it by brightly coloring the Easter eggs they have found. The giving of brightly colored eggs was a custom in the Middle East during the spring. In many cultures, the egg symbolized rebirth or renewal. Should we celebrate the Easter Resurrection or allow our children to go on Easter eggs hunts? This is a question both parents and church leaders struggle with. There is nothing essentially evil about painting and hiding eggs and having children search for them. What is important is our focus. If our focus is on Christ and not the eggs, our children will understand that the eggs are just a game. Children can participate in an Easter egg hunt as long as the true meaning of the day is explained and emphasized, but ultimately this must be left up to the discretion of parents. The most important belief of our Christian faith is that Jesus, God’s only Son, died on the cross for our sins and rose again, triumphant over death, on Easter. Christ's resurrection is something that should be celebrated every day, not just once a year. At the same time, if we choose to celebrate Easter Sunday, we should not allow the fun and games to distract our attention from what the day should truly be all about—the fact that Jesus was resurrected from the dead and that His resurrection demonstrates that we can indeed be promised an eternal home in Heaven by receiving Jesus as our Savior. (Romans 6:4)
Gold and white are the colors for Easter Sunday. Gold represents value and worth. The golden festival of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the event that gives our lives meaning and worth. He is worthy of our praise as we adorn his altar with the color of splendor. White is the color of purity and completeness. This color assists in bearing the message that "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow."(Isaiah 1:18) Christ's triumph from the grave on Resurrection day is the cause for our rejoicing. His purity before his Father becomes our purity. White reinforces that message of joy. Easter is also closely related with the season of spring. New plant life that comes out in spring is symbolic of the new life Christians gain because of Jesus' crucifixion and His resurrection.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life….John 3:16
I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me…..John 14:6
