California Lutheran University's Student Newspaper Since 1961

The Echo

California Lutheran University's Student Newspaper Since 1961

The Echo

California Lutheran University's Student Newspaper Since 1961

The Echo

    Worship, bunnies and Easter traditions

    Imagine an Easter egg hunt in the large open spaces and beautiful trees that make up California Lutheran University. Now embrace childhood memories of Easter baskets and marshmallow treats.

    Easter Sunday,ย  April 20, is not just a day of bunnies and bright spring dresses, but also serves as a remembrance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion.

    Easter is always celebrated on the Sunday after the first full moon after the March equinox which is why the date can range from March 22 to April 25. People celebrate Easter in various ways. Some families may attend church, celebrate with family and friends and even participate in the 40 days of Lent.

    โ€œI am a Christian in the Lutheran faith family, and for me, Easter is a celebration of new life and resurrection,โ€ said CLU campus pastor Melissa Maxwell-Doherty.

    Many families have their own traditions for Easter Sunday. Some families make Easter breakfast, have Easter egg hunts, attend an Easter ceremony at their local church or simply celebrate by remembering Jesus Christ.

    Easter Sunday is of course a religious holiday, but Easter Sunday is also a fun way for families to begin their own traditions, religious or not.

    โ€œWe always woke up and did Easter bunny baskets, then went to church, and finally went to my grandmaโ€™s and did an Easter egg hunt and a dinner,โ€ junior Brigitte Paul said.

    Whether you celebrate Jesus Christ or the belief that a bunny goes from house to house leaving treats for children, Easter is a time for families to come together and celebrate. Children make memories with community Easter egg hunts where parents hide eggs full of money, candy and prizes to search for on the grass in trees and in mailboxes.

    Sophomore Courtney Sabile is using Easter as a way to send gifts to send to The Reserve, a senior living community in Thousand Oaks, Calif. On April 10, Sabile hosted an event called โ€œEaster Eggs for Senior Buddiesโ€ at the flagpole. This goal was to fill bags with Easter eggs and candy to remind seniors that students are thinking of them.

    โ€œSince CLU didnโ€™t have an event acknowledging the Easter holiday, I figured a great way to evoke the spirit of Easter and service is to send a special gift to the Senior Buddies from students on campus. Just knowing that busy college students are willing to stop by and give back to others brings true meaning to what Easter is all about,โ€ Sabile said.

    Easter is a way to show love in many ways, shapes and forms. With family traditions to community service, there is a way for anyone to do something fun and nice on Easter Sunday.

     

    Erin Chisholm
    Staff Writer
    Published April 16, 2014