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FOOT WASHING
During Christ's time, people wore sandals and had to walk many miles
each day on dusty road. It was courtesy and respect for a servant
to wash the feet of guests when they arrived. Jesus washed the feet of all
his disciples the night before he was crucified. This gesture was to
show his disciples that he was their servant and he respected them. It was
also to show them that in order to be good leaders, they must show
respect to their followers and be willing to serve.
Kings and Lords during medieval times followed Jesus' example.
They did this by washing the feet of twelve of the poorest men in their
kingdom on the Thursday before Easter. In England, it was custom for
kings and queens to wash the feet of as many poor people as they were in
years old. This custom is still practiced by Queen Elizabeth today.
MAKING AN EASTER TREE
The making of an Easter tree is an old custom in Germany, Holland and
some other European countries. They brought this custom to the United
States when they came. Days before Easter, these Europeans would bring
in bare branches and put them in a pot filled with earth. The
children will then decorate them with decorated empty eggs. They did
this by emptying the eggs, dyed them and then used ribbons to tie and
hang them on the bare branches. The bare branches symbolize death
while the eggs are a symbol of life.
EASTER EGG HUNTING
Easter egg hunt is common all over the world. Eggs are hidden by
adults and the children hunts and collects them. The one with the most
eggs is the winner.
EASTER EGG ROLLING
This custom was started in Europe a long time ago. Contestants rolled
their eggs on gentle slopes toward the finish line at the bottom of the
hill. The first unbroken egg over the line is the winner. An annual
egg roll was started in the United States during
President Andrew Johnson's period. The White House south lawn now is the site of
the Easter Monday Egg Roll. Many children participate in this yearly
event.
Read more about the Easter Egg Roll in the White House
History of the White House
Easter Egg Roll
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