Stacy Bush

Have you ever wondered how the holiday of Easter got its name? The name Easter actually comes from the pagan goddess Eastre. I know some of you are asking how this can be when Easter is a Christian holiday. Well, the story begins a long time ago, during the reign of Constantine. There was a civilization called the Anglo-Saxons who long before Christianity was born celebrated the return of spring with a grand festival to commemorate their goddess of offspring and springtime.

This goddess was named “Eastre,” who, like many pagan gods and goddesses, was represented by an animal: the rabbit.

Today we affectionately know Easter as the Easter Bunny!

During the second century of Christianity, missionaries found these northern tribes and learned that their holiday coincided with the Christian observance of the resurrection of Christ. So, to move along the missionary effort, they celebrated these two together and began using the Eastre holiday to remember the resurrection of Christ. This made it easier to convert these pagan tribes to Christianity.

Today we celebrate Easter with chocolate bunnies and Easter eggs, which can be lots of fun, especially with small children.

However, I’d like you to take a moment, whether you are Christian, Jew, Agnostic, or otherwise, and remember that springtime represents a season of rebirth and renewal, which everyone could use in their life.

Regardless of your tradition, we wish for all of you the renewal this time of year can bring.

Stacy Bush is with Bush Wealth Management and a frequent columnist on The Daily Times’ Sunday business pages.