A sticky supermarketing moment

A supermarket chain here in England got itself into a huge muddle over the meaning of Easter this week, in its attempt to sell more chocolate eggs...

“ Brits will on average be enjoying over 3.5 eggs each over the Easter weekend alone. But over a quarter don’t know why handing them out symbolises the birth of Jesus. . . .” Press release from Somerfield Supermarket, April 3

Oops. Take 2:
“ Brits will on average be enjoying over 3.5 eggs each over the Easter weekend alone. But over a quarter don’t know why handing them out symbolises the rebirth of Jesus . . .” Revised press release

Oh dear: Take 3
“ Brits will on average be enjoying over 3.5 eggs each over the Easter weekend alone. But over a quarter don’t know why handing them out symbolises the resurrection of Jesus” Second revision


Pheeeeww! At least they got there in the end (sort of).

It has been suggested that Easter eggs represent the stone rolled in front of Jesus’s tomb, but the tradition has pre-Christian roots: in ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and Persia eggs were dyed for spring festivals. I'd like to suggest that the 'tradition' of giving chocolate eggs has more to do with greed as I'm pretty sure that the Bible doesn't mention it. Let me check...

Er, no.

Actually the Bible is pretty clear on what we SHOULD be celebrating this weekend—the fact of Jesus' death and God raising him back to life, as witnessed by many and a necessary sacrifice that took care of the offences we cause God forever. And therefore, for those who recognise this, Easter is a celebration that we no longer need be self-imposed enemies of God.

That's more like it. (As if the creation of chocolate wasn't enough to prove that we have a loving and merciful God!)




Have a very happy and meaningful Easter, dear friends.