Have a Happy Easter!

Matthew 27:50-53
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.(NIV)

Matthew 28:1-10
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." (NIV)

Mark 16:1-8
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "

Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. (NIV)

(See also, Luke 24:1-12)

More Bible Verses About Easter

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (NIV)

Romans 1:4-5
And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. (NLT)

Philippians 3:10
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (NIV)

1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... (NIV)

Articles about Easter

Why is Easter on a Different Date Each Year? A Look at Easter & Passover Why Easter is celebrated on a different day and sometimes a different month each year.

Why Is Easter Celebrated On A Different Date Every Year? A brief look at Easter

Presidential Message -- Easter 2008 - The following text is released by the White House

Presidential Message for Easter 2007: 'Rejoice!' - The following text is a Presidential Message for Easter 2007

Easter 2006 - Comments by Pres. Bush - The following text was a message from President George W. Bush for Easter 2006

Easter is also a time for Easter fun. Although some Christians debate the wisdom of using symbols tied to pagan fertility rites like bunnies and eggs, many Christian families enjoy Easter baskets, Easter egg hunts, Easter candy including peeps and marshmallow eggs, Easter collectibles and even Easter dolls!

While it is true that eggs were painted by the ancient Zoroastrians for their New Year celebration, which falls on the Spring equinox, decorating an egg certainly doesn't make you an ancient Zoroastrian! In fact, many Christians look to the egg as a symbol of rebirth and the empty tomb. Just like an egg holds a chick until it hatches, so the tomb held Jesus until he rose. In both cases, the egg and tomb are left empty, and the result is new life.

Here are several poems for your Easter enjoyment!

Easter Acrostic - An acrostic poem about Easter

Wonder - an Easter Poem - A poem about the first Easter

For Easter: Faint Ray of Daylight - an Easter Poem - A poem about the joy of Easter

A Collection of Easter Poetry - Poems about Easter written by Kathryn E. Darden

Easter Barbie dolls - past and present: a series on Easter Barbies
The first time Barbie officially celebrated Easter was the first year she was manufactured, in 1959.

Easter Barbie dolls from 1993 to 1999 (with slideshow of Easter Barbies)
The list is of Easter Barbie dolls sold from 1993 to 1999 predominantly in grocery stores and convenience stores.

Easter Barbie dolls from 2000 to present (with slideshow of Easter Barbies)
Starting in 2001 with the Flower Mania Barbie, Mattel appears to have had a hard time committing to the Easter theme.

Russell Stover Barbie dolls - special edition Barbies from Russell Stover Candies
Part four of the series on Easter Barbie Dolls - Past and Present.

Easter Barbie dolls: Target special editions and Peter Rabbit Easter Barbies
A look at the Barbie and Kelly sets sold by Target through the years as well as the Peter Rabbit Barbie dolls.

Barbie Easter Sweetie - 2010 Easter Barbie doll already in stores
The 2010 Easter Barbie doll "Easter Sweetie" is already hitting store shelves

Easter Chelsea dolls fill a gap in the Barbie line in 2011, on sale at Target
New this year are three cute little dolls named Chelsea, a little older than Kelly and the same age as the So In Style younger siblings.

Easter doll displays - decorating for Easter with dolls
Tips for decorating with dolls.

Easter Parade Sydney doll a rare Nashville Tonner exclusive
In March 2004, the Robert Tonner Company sold the very limited Easter Parade Sydney doll from their Tyler line at the Collectors United doll show