Wand'ring Thru Wayne & Pike County PA

One thing I try to avoid is mimicking what other bloggers write about. But I was reading Maureen McCabe’s blog today and she mentioned a blog by Ann Arbor real estate agent Karen Moorhead that explains why Easter was so early this year.

My kids asked me about this today…and interestingly enough, right after I read Maureen’s, and then Karen’s blogs, I got an email from my friend in Georgia also explaining the early date for Easter 2008.

Evidently, it has to do with math, and full moons. In a nutshell, Easter has always been tied closely to the Jewish Passover – the events that led our Savior to the cross all occurred during the Passover. (This part I knew.)
The time for Easter and Passover are determined by the date of the first full moon after the Spring equinox. This year’s early Easter has not happened since 1913, and won’t happen again for more than 100 years. Read Karen’s blog for a better explanation.

Here is another blog, Experimental Theology by Richard Beck, which goes into a bit more detail about the astronomy AND church history behind the timing of Easter. And if that’s not enough, here’s more info for math geeks.

Other Easter Ramblings…

One thing that irritates me about Easter: Easter dresses for little girls. Go to any store here in Northeast PA and you’ll see racks of beautiful dresses – for girls living in the Deep South. Here in the Poconos, we’re still wearing wool socks and thick sweaters, and will continue to do so for at least another few weeks. My friends in Michigan have been blessed with 8 inches or more of snow…So why are the Easter frocks sold in the North sleeveless and gauzy? Can’t they (whoever THEY are…) make pretty spring dresses with long sleeves, and maybe slightly heavier fabric? Can’t they create a version for those of us in Klondike Klimates, and a version for those in California and other spots closer to the Equator?

I’m slightly–no, very jealous of my friends who live in warmer climates, who don’t have to wear gloves when hiding (and hunting) Easter eggs…one year my girlfriend and I noticed that the kids would have no problem finding the eggs we hid – they only needed to follow our footprints through the snow. (Thankfully, we in the Poconos didn’t have snow this year, and the kids didn’t need boots and snowpants to find the eggs that daddy caught hypothermia hiding…)

As a Christian of the more conservative type, I’ve been exposed to the various teachings that Easter isn’t about eggs and bunnies, and that those practices are pagan in origin and have no place in the Christian tradition – but I disagree. Bunnies and eggs are GOD’s creations, and are signs of hope and life – even when the ground is frozen and snow covered and the trees are still bare.

Good News About the Resurrection – this article by Carol Kent is excellent. I had the privilege of hearing Carol’s story not once, but twice as she shared her heart (and heartbreak) at the last two Women of Faith conferences I attended. I am not one to broadcast my faith on my blog, as I generally steer clear of online discussions of religion and politics. Carol’s story touched my heart, however – and I wanted to share it with my readers.

I give thanks to God for the Resurrection which gives me hope – and for bunnies (especially the chocolate ones).

May the Joy of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Fill Your Life with Hope

WEICHERT, REALTORS® – Paupack Group Independently Owned and Operated

Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Pocono Mountains. Lake Wallenpaupack is one of Pennsylvania’s most popular destinations for vacations, retirement, and purchasing a home.

Easter Egg picture courtesy of Dryicons, Bunny picture courtesy of dearbarbie , Flickr Creative Commons license.

Filed under: The Rambling Realtor Misc. Category Tagged: | Easter