Why we celebrate easter

By Warda Salvester

Christians celebrate Easter to commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Some aspects of modern Easter celebrations, however, pre-date Christianity.

Some Christians even refuse to celebrate Easter because of these pagan customs that they say have nothing to do with Christianity.

In fact, Easter was originally a pagan festival.

The ancient Saxons celebrated the return of spring with an uproarious festival commemorating their goddess of fertility and spring, Eastre.

This pagan festival occurred at the same time as the Christian observance of the Resurrection of Christ.

Clever missionaries altered this festival to make it a