Coloring Eggs

Since I was a child Easter meant coloring eggs, a basket of candy and wearing a brand new extra special dress to church on Easter Sunday.  But what do eggs really have to do with Easter and where does the egg hunt come from?

Although eggs, in general, were a traditional symbol of fertility and rebirth, in Christianity, for the celebration of Eastertide, Easter eggs symbolize the empty tomb of Jesus, from which Jesus resurrected. In addition, one ancient tradition was the staining of Easter eggs with the colour red “in memory of the blood of Christ, shed as at that time of his crucifixion.” This custom of the Easter egg can be traced to early Christians of Mesopotamia, and from there it spread into Russia and Siberia through the Orthodox Churches, and later into Europe through the Catholic and Protestant Churches. This Christian use of eggs may have been influenced by practices in “pre-dynastic period in Egypt, as well as amid the early cultures of Mesopotamia and Crete”.

Lord, let the grace of your blessing + come upon these eggs, that they be healthful food for your faithful who eat them in thanksgiving for the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you forever and ever.  the Roman Ritual, Part XI, blessing and other sacramentals (wikipedia)

Still no idea of why there are Easter egg hunts but when it comes to coloring eggs I  remember the little egg coloring kits that involved a cup or two that mom didn’t mind me using (they come with their own plastic cups now) the color and some vinegar.  But many do and have used natural coloring agents for their eggs like beets and onions or even flowers and spices.

Be your eggs colored or just scrambled with bacon, have a blessed and happy Easter.

Teri  📷