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VIETNAMESE
ARTICLES
14 March 2008
Easter
(Part 1)
Our
Easter this year (23 March 2008) is earlier than those in the past few
years (11 April 2004; 27 March 2005; 16 April 2006; 8 April 2007). Like
Lunar New Year, Easter does not fall on a fixed date in the Gregorian or
Julian calendars (both of which follow the cycle of the sun and the
seasons). Instead, it is determined on a lunisolar calendar, as is the
Hebrew calendar (the Sunday after the Passover or after the 14th of the
month Nisan). To make it simpler and easier to remember, Easter falls on
the first Sunday after the full moon which occurs on or after the 21st
of March. If the full moon falls on Sunday, then Easter will be on the
following Sunday. Hence, Easter usually falls between the 22nd of March
and the 25th of April. For example, Easter in the coming years will be
on 12 April 2009; 4 April 2010; 24 April 2011; 8 April 2012; 31 March
2013, etc.
The
Scripture tells us that the Lord Jesus suffered and was crucified on the
cross in the Passover when the Jews celebrated the event that the Lord
delivered them from the bondage of the Egyptians. The angel of the Lord
passed over and did not destroy the firstborn of those who believed in
God’s Word and stroke the lintel and the two side posts of their houses
with the blood of the lamb. The Passover Lamb refers to the death of the
Lord Jesus as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of mankind, and His
shedding blood secures salvation for those who put their trust in Him,
“For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Therefore
let us keep the feast”
(1 Cor 5:7-8).
Easter is
always on Sunday because our Lord Jesus was crucified, died, and was
buried on Friday, and then the third day (the first day of the week or
the Lord’s Day, or Sunday), He rose again to be the living Saviour, who
gives eternal life to those who repent and receive Him as their personal
Saviour.
Many
regard Easter as a good time for pleasures and entertainments with
chocolate egg hunts, parties, gathering of friends, travelling or
camping, etc. ignoring or not caring about the great event when the
loving Lord humbled Himself to become a Man, was crucified and died for
their sins and rose again for their salvation! How about you? Please
read our next article.
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