<> Ask the Pastor Rev. Walter Snyder Good morning, and God's richest blessings to you. Aren't there always some little treasures the Lord gives you to perk you up? The last few weeks' papers (Sundays and Wednesdays) had their share of bad things happening, but wasn't it great to read about the young man who got to go fishing with the pros because of the Make-A-Wish Foundation? And as an avid reader and book owner (hoarder?), I enjoyed seeing Diane Cox's Book Emporium recognized as Rotary's "Business of the Month." Nothing, however, perks me up more than talking about the Lord, and my favorite conversations center around Easter. Already, I'm starting to get excited about our annual lakeside sunrise service at Martin Dies Jr. State Park. This will be my fourth year of celebrating the Resurrection with area people and our out-of-town guests, and the service goes back several years before I came here. Then I'll preach in Woodville, again in Jasper, and will then be looking for more - nothing fires me up like eternal life, and spending forever with Jesus! I'll sing until hoarse, then rest my throat and sing some more. And yes, this all *does* segue to something sent in by a reader! Q: In the paper of the 18th, you stated that "During the *early days* of the church, various schedules were followed each year a believers began to make ready for Easter and the celebration of the resurrection." [Emphasis added by reader.] This seems to indicate that this practice dated from not long after the events of Acts chapter two! Yet, we do not read *anything* about the practices of which you wrote in your article regarding "Lent." In fact, the only time the word "Easter" is found in the Bible (KJV) is in a *mistranslation* of a Greek word that should have been translated *"Passover"* in Acts 12:4. A: Some of this we looked at on February the 25th, but a few new points have come up. Already noted: The early Church viewed *every* Sunday as a celebration of the Resurrection, which is why most Christians still assemble on that day. But the Lord has never forbidden His people from making special celebrations to honor Him, so the Church has used the freedom given it in the Gospel to do just that with Christmas, Easter, and more. As for the practices of Lent, nowhere in Scripture, Old or New Testament, are prayers, fasting, and the giving of alms or increased giving to the Church forbidden. In fact, these are commended whenever and wherever they are done in sincere faith. The word "Easter" shouldn't be problematic, either. The respondent is correct in saying that it doesn't appear in the Bible. In fact, while the *observation* of the first Easter formed the basis for early Christian worship and is at the heart of our faith and practice to this day, the *word* "Easter" has strictly pagan roots. It comes from the Old English *eastre*, which means "spring," and the ancient British celebration of its return. This, in turn, came from their goddess of the dawn *Eastre* (from whom we also get "east"). When Christianity spread into the British Isles, the missionaries found a religious observation occurring at almost the same time that they were preparing to celebrate the Resurrection. The return of a winter-dead land to life was a simple illustration for the return of the Son of God to life and the new life He gave His followers. Gradually, *eastre* disappeared in practice as more of the land came to faith in Christ, but the name lived on. We use it now because it comes out of our English-speaking heritage, and because "Happy Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" is quite a mouthful for most occasions. Finally, whether we set aside one day each year, one day each week, or part of each day to rejoice in the Resurrection isn't that important. Neither is what we decide to name that special time. What is important is that we remember and believe that He truly *did* rise from the dead - and that because He lives, we shall live also. Meanwhile, the most important Name remains that of our Savior, so "that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [Phil. 2:10-11]" Until next week, when we enjoy more of your questions, remember to "Ask the Pastor" at P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; e-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or catch me around town. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1996 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.