Spring Might Be in the Air, but Easter Is a Late Arrival This Year

If Easter seems a little late this year, blame it on the moon.

“Easter is on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox,” said Joseph Everson, Cal Lutheran religion department chairman. The vernal equinox is the first day of spring.

Easter is never before March 22 or after April 25, he noted.

“Easter this year is about as late as it could ever be,” Everson said.

Last year it was on April 4 and next year it will be on April 15. In 2008, Easter will be early--on March 23.

The ever-changing date is because the holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who was crucified after he arrived in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. Thus, Easter is determined by the same ancient lunar calendar used to decide when the Jewish holiday is celebrated.

The Easter bunny is somewhat of an intruder in the sacred celebration of a very important Christian holiday, though eggs are part of the day.

At First Presbyterian Church of Oxnard, the congregation will have breakfast on the patio Easter morning, followed by an egg hunt for the children.

Pastor James K. Bain Jr. will talk about the symbolism of an egg representing new life emerging from the tomb, and use the different colors of the eggs to teach children about the story of Jesus being crucified, being buried and rising again, he said.

“Yellow represents the dawn of Easter morning and red represents the sacrifice of blood,” he said.

At Ojai Valley Community Church in Ojai, about 300 people are expected to get up before dawn for a sunrise service at Lake Casitas.

“It is cold and early, but it is a beautiful tradition,” Pastor Paul Bergmann said.

“For me, the Christian tradition of a sunrise service represents the rebirth of who we are and reminds us of Jesus, who died for us, was buried and was resurrected--triumphant over death,” Bergmann said.

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For Catholics, Easter Sunday is the culmination of Holy Week, during which church members recall and ponder Christ’s ordeal, said the Rev. Larry Neumeier, associate pastor of St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church in Thousand Oaks.

“The whole week is separate and special as we meditate on the Lord’s passion,” Neumeier said.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrate Easter Sunday with services that include partaking of the sacrament along with music and scripture readings focusing on the reality of Christ’s physical resurrection from the tomb.