Easter 2012, the greatest feast day in the Christian 2012 calendar, celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, is going to take place on April 8 this year.

Christians believe, according to Scripture, that Jesus came back to life, or was raised from the dead, three days after his death on the cross. As part of the Easter season, the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion is commemorated on Good Friday, always the Friday just before Easter. Through his death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for sin, thus purchasing for all who believe in him, eternal life in Christ Jesus.

Easter Season
In Western Christianity, Easter marks the end of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline in preparation for Easter. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. Eastern Orthodox churches observe Lent or Great Lent, during the 6 weeks or 40 days preceding Palm Sunday with fasting continuing during the Holy Week of Easter. Lent for Eastern Orthodox churches begins on Monday and Ash
Determining the Date of Easter
In Western Christianity, Easter is always celebrated on the Sunday immediately following the Paschal Full Moon. “Easter is always celebrated on the Sunday immediately following the first full moon after the vernal (spring) equinox.” This statement was true prior to 325 AD; however, over the course of history (beginning in 325 AD with the Council of Nicea), the Western Church decided to established a more standardized system for determining the date of Easter.

Easter Presents

Typical Easter presents are related to Spring, vitality and something like that. For example, eggs, springer, bunny, flowers especially lily. On Easter Vigil, the children will paint on the chicken eggs with colorful patterns, the egg is widely used as a symbol of the start of new life, just as new life emerges from an egg when the chick hatches out.
Of course, people will also get themselves dressed up on Easter, that’s always regarded as a symbol of hope for life and vitality. (Easter shopping http://www.everytide.com )