Celebrating Easter
While Remembering Who It’s All About
6 Easter traditions from around the world and how they can help us remember Jesus Christ.
Illustrations by Judy Bloomfield
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Tradition |
Connection to Christ |
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1. Easter Eggs Eggs, eggs, eggs. Around the world, Easter eggs are decorated, searched for, rolled, cracked, and eaten. In Germany and Austria, Easter eggs are hung on trees (Ostereierbaum). In Mexico, eggs are hollowed out and filled with confetti (cascarones) and then cracked over someone’s head. |
Admittedly, many people use eggs to celebrate Easter without focusing on the Savior at all. It’s up to us to focus on the Savior in our Easter traditions. Eggs can be symbols of new life, a quick tie to resurrection. Red dye has been used in some cultures to represent the Savior’s sacrifice. And when an egg is cracked open, the shell can remind us of the empty tomb and the Risen Savior. If you haven’t been connecting your Easter traditions to Him, now’s the time to start! |
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2. Easter Fires Having a bonfire is a common Easter tradition, especially in Germany, the Netherlands, Croatia, and Finland. |
Fire at Easter time can remind us to look to the Savior, who brings light and warmth to the world and is, in fact, the Light of the World Himself (see John 8:12). |
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3. Special Foods Around the world at Easter, two symbolic foods are eaten again and again: lamb and bread. |
Lamb can point to the Lamb of God—the Savior Himself. Bread can remind us of Jesus Christ, who is the Bread of Life (see John 6:35). |
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4. Palm Weaving In some countries, such as Italy, Spain, the Philippines, Mexico, Egypt, and Ethiopia, people braid palm leaves or other plants on Palm Sunday. |
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter and celebrates Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when people spread palm leaves before Him. |
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5. Kite Flying In Bermuda at Easter, people fly colorful kites! |
This tradition is a fun reminder of the Savior’s Resurrection and how He afterward rose up to heaven. |
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6. Church Worship Don’t forget one of the most important Easter traditions—going to church! We go to Church on Easter Sunday to partake of the sacrament and remember the Savior. (If general conference is on Easter, we can remember Him by listening in—then partake of the sacrament again the next week.) |
As we keep our covenants and renew them through the sacrament, we are blessed to always have the Spirit to be with us. This can help us connect with the Savior on Easter and on every other day, too. |
Youth Getting Involved: Personal Easter Traditions
“I give chocolate Easter eggs to the missionaries in my ward.”
Jennyfer M., age 23, Pernambuco, Brazil
“Our family did a last supper dinner, and we tried to make it as traditional as possible.”
Alice F., age 16, Utah, USA
“My family and I go to a cemetery, sing hymns together, and bear our testimonies.”
Rachel G., age 19, Virginia, USA
“I went to the temple for Easter weekend.”
Avery A., age 17, Nevada, USA
“I read the Gospels and the history of the life of Jesus! It’s a great joy to learn about Him during Easter.”
Esteban A., age 15, San José, Costa Rica
“In French Polynesia, we had an interfaith youth Easter concert. Through storm and tide, the Lord made it a night of miracles, joy, and unity.”
Tehina C.T., age 24, Tupua‘i, French Polynesia
“This year I focused on studying what Christ did during Holy Week.”
Maddysen R., age 18, Utah, USA