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The Christian History Of The Easter Egg

The Rev. Marissa Becklin

An Ancient Symbol of Resurrection

As we continue in our joyous celebration of Easter, I pray that our hearts are filled with reverence for this sacred season. Of course, alongside our church traditions for Easter, there are also all sorts of cultural observances that mark the Easter season. And while you might think that all of those extras (like the Easter bunny) are completely secular, one of the most popular cultural Easter traditions is actually Christian in its heritage! Among the many cherished traditions associated with Easter, the Easter egg holds a special place, serving as a symbol of hope, renewal, and the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.


Throughout history, eggs have been revered in various cultures as symbols of life and rebirth. In the Christian tradition, the Easter egg takes on deeper meaning, reflecting the transformative power of Christ's resurrection. Just as a chick emerges from its shell, breaking forth into new life, so too does Jesus emerge from the tomb, conquering death and offering the promise of eternal life to all who believe in Him.


The egg itself is a marvel of creation, containing life within its fragile shell. In much the same way, the tomb in which Jesus was laid held the promise of new life, despite the darkness and despair of Good Friday. The cracking open of the egg symbolizes the breaking of the tomb's seal and the glorious resurrection of our Savior on Easter morning.


Furthermore, the egg serves as a reminder of the abundant blessings bestowed upon us by God. Just as an egg is filled with nourishment, so too are our lives enriched by the grace and love of Christ. Through His sacrifice, we are offered the gift of salvation and the opportunity to experience spiritual renewal and growth.


One of my favorite images of Mary Magdalene is an icon of her holding and pointing to an egg–a reminder that she was the first person to have the news of the empty tomb and the resurrection proclaimed to her, and it was she who first proclaimed that news to the rest of the world. There’s even an odd legend about that morning that dates back to the ancient church: The story goes that on Easter Sunday morning, when Mary Magdalene went to the tomb to anoint Christ’s body, she took with her a basket of hard-boiled eggs, perhaps as a meal to share with the women who accompanied her. When the risen Christ appeared to her the eggs in her basket turned bright red (other stories say the eggs became rainbow colored). This is possibly where the tradition of dyeing eggs came from!


As we might engage in the tradition of decorating Easter eggs, let’s do so with hearts full of gratitude and reverence for the miraculous events of Easter. Let each stroke of color and each delicate design serve as a testament to the beauty of God's creation and the promise of new life found in Jesus, God’s Son. (Or, let’s remember this symbolism as we eat peanut butter eggs!)


In the spirit of Easter, I invite you to embrace the symbolism of the Easter egg as a reminder of the hope and joy that accompany our faith. This season, let us rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life that we are a part of through grace.


Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed and joyous Easter season.


In Christ’s Love,


Pastor Marissa Becklin

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