The Road to Easter

Did you know that the word “Easter” comes from the name of an Anglo-Saxon goddess Ēostre?

Language evolves and over time meanings can be completely changed. When I discovered the origin of the word Easter I was a little disappointed but not completely surprised. We all know that the original celebrations at this time of year (in pagan countries such as the UK) were about the joy of new life, the spring festival, the snowdrops and daffodils bursting through the last vestiges of snow in a world where the only heating was fire and the winter days were long and gloomy.

Easter as we know it in the church calendar is, of course, also about death and new life; about gloominess turning to excitement; about the promise of growth and a better future. It’s easy to see why Christians adapted this pagan festival and made it their own.