Christianity & Pagan Practices

I know Easter-Resurrection Day was yesterday, but this is still relevant and good to know. My curiosity about common day "Easter" practice was stirred up after reading the headlines on many church marquees advertising egg hunts and hearing Christian radio hosts talk about how their children were excited about the Easter bunny visiting their homes. It dawned on me that Christians are probably the ones who participate in pagan activities and beliefs (i.e. Easter bunny, Santa Claus, Halloween, etc.) the most, not realizing the history behind the practices. So, here it is...a little research I did about the history of the Easter egg and its myths:

• Over the span of history, the egg has symbolized magic, mystery, medicine, food, and omen.
  

• In Pagan times, the egg represented the rebirth of the earth. The long, hard winter was over; the earth burst forth and was reborn just as the egg miraculously burst forth with life. The egg, therefore, was believed to have special powers. It was buried under the foundations of buildings to ward off evil; pregnant young Roman women carried an egg on their persons to foretell the sex of their unborn children; French brides stepped upon an egg before crossing the threshold of their new homes.
  

• With the advent of Christianity the symbolism of the egg changed to represent, not nature's rebirth, but the rebirth of man. Christians embraced the egg symbol and likened it to the tomb from which Christ rose.
  

• Old Polish legends blended folklore and Christian beliefs and firmly attached the egg to the Easter celebration. One legend concerns the Virgin Mary. It tells of the time Mary gave eggs to the soldiers at the cross. She entreated them to be less cruel and she wept. The tears of Mary fell upon the eggs, spotting them with dots of brilliant color.
  

• Another Polish legend tells of when Mary Magdalene went to the sepulchre to anoint the body of Jesus. She had with her a basket of eggs to serve as a repast. When she arrived at the sepulchre and uncovered the eggs, lo, the pure white shells had miraculously taken on a rainbow of colors.

Isn't that a mess?! We've got to tell our children the TRUTH about why we celebrate certain occasions...they will believe and know only what you tell and show them at young ages.