The history of the Easter basket is an interesting one. The use of Easter baskets developed from the more modern symbolism of Christianity. Christians celebrate Easter because it signifies Christ’s resurrection. Lent, which lasts for 40 days before Easter, begins the day after Fat Tuesday, which is a festive day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. During Lent, many Christians sacrifice the consumption of food and other items until Easter. The tradition of feasting on a large Easter meal symbolizes the end of Lenten fasting. In earlier times, this Easter feast was brought in large baskets to church to be blessed by priests. Thereby, the link between a religious holiday and Easter treats was formed. The blessing of the contemporary Easter basket in Catholic churches today is similar to the ancient Jews who brought in their first seedlings for a temple blessing. Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will be hosting their Regional Conference in August here in Pittsburgh. Social Service is one of their program thrusts. DST teamed with the School Social Worker and Principal of Martin Luther King Elementary on the North Side to identify and deliver the gift of Easter Dinner Baskets to 27 families.
Now back to my baskets. I can write about it now because my family will not see this story since they live out of town. Everyone in my immediate family gets a basket. Oh I feel like Oprah. You get a basket and you get a basket. My great nephew gets a dinosaur basket with candy and toys and a pair of sunglasses. I have a basketball basket for my brother in law complete with golf balls and coffee mugs from his hometown.
I love what the Deltas’ did for over two-dozen families, that is what the holidays should be about.
(Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com)
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