What You Need To Know About The Easter Bunny!

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Easter is celebrated this year on March 23rd. The Easter Bunny is a rabbit character who brings gifts and candy to children on the Easter holiday. Did you know that eggs, like rabbits are fertility symbols of ancient history? This is because birds lay eggs and rabbits give birth in the early spring. In english, the word "Easter" comes from an ancient pagan goddess of the spring named Eostre, related to German Ostara. Eostre was once believed to save a bird whose wings had frozen during the winter by turning it into a rabbit. And because the rabbit had once been a bird, it could still lay eggs. And that idea of an egg-laying rabbit became the modern Easter Bunny in the United States in the 18th century. The custom of coloring eggs is not known. But Greeks typically dye their Easter eggs red, the color of blood, to recognize the renewal of life in springtime and later, the blood of Christ. According to the legend, only good children received gifts of colored eggs in the nests that they made before Easter. And according to the United States tradition, the Easter Bunny leaves eggs and assorted candy on Easter morning for good children as well as hiding decorated hard-boiled or plastic eggs filled with candy or money for children to hunt for them.

As Christian people, this day is why we celebrate our Christianity. It's the great day that Jesus Christ died and arose from the dead to forgive us of our sins. As parents, when my son was very young and didn't truly understand Christ's death and resurrection, my husband and I participated in Easter egg hunts and chocolate bunnies, because that's how we grew up. We followed the tradition. But we also taught our son who Christ was and why we truly celebrate Easter. He may not have fully understood, but at least we introduced Christ to him. And I believe that's all we truly need to do in order for God to do the rest. I don't believe that the Easter Bunny is a bad symbol for our children, but it's not the true symbol. And as Christian parents we should be sure to include Christ in Easter and not the Easter Bunny alone...

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Easter Gifts - Goodbye Bunny, Hello Bilby

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The Easter Bunny carrying his gift basket of colored eggs, chocolate and jelly beans is a familiar symbol of the Easter holiday for many. But there is a movement down under to replace the Easter bunny with the native Australian bilby.

The rabbit was not originally native to Australia. It was introduced in 1788, but did not spread rapidly until two dozen rabbits were released in 1859 for sport hunting. The combination of no natural predators in Australia and their infamous ability to breed quickly resulted in the original 24 turning into a population of millions within 10 years. The rabbits ate much of the vegetation, causing food shortages for the indigenous species. The vegetation removal also caused significant problems with soil erosion. Despite many attempts to curtail the rabbit population, the problem continues today. Currently, the rabbit causes an estimated $AU600 million in damages per year. This widespread damage to the Australian environment has resulted in the rabbit being viewed unfavorably by the majority of the population. In most parts of Australia, it is even illegal to own a rabbit as a pet.

Because of the rabbit's history in Australia, some Aussies decided they wanted a new symbol for their Easter celebrations. They chose the bilby, a native Australian animal and a member of the bandicoot family. Thus, the concept of the "Easter Bilby" was born. The bilby is similar in size to a rabbit, with long ears, long, snoot-like nose, soft grey fur, and a distinctive black and white tail. The idea for the Easter Bilby has been around since the 1970s. However, the idea has picked up momentum in recent years, as the bilby has become an endangered species (currently, only an estimated 600 bilbys exist in the wild). Just like the Easter Bunny, the bilby carries his basket full of chocolate eggs and delivers goodies to children everywhere in Australia each year. There are Easter Bilby songs, children's stories, cards, stuffed animals, chocolate-shaped bilby treats, organizations, and websites, all dedicated to this new tradition. So if you happen to find yourself down under during the Easter holiday, don't mention the bunny!

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