For most Americans, Nissan is an automobile, March is the third month which ushers in the spring season and eventually Easter. In the Jewish calendar, Nissan is the first month. It begins in mid March, and leads to Passover. The Gregorian calendar which is utilized in our modern world was put in place around 1582 according to most sources.
Spring is always March 21st, but the beginning of the month of Nissan, as well as the dates of Easter and Passover are always different. Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox. This is why Easter will come no sooner than the third Sunday in March, if it falls on the 22nd, and may also be as late as mid April.
Many pastors today teach their congregations to refer to Easter Sunday as Resurrection Sunday, because of the pagan origins of Easter. There are also believers in Christ who say Christians should not acknowledge Easter Sunday at all, because it is not a celebration that is outlined in the bible.
When I was young , we did not have to attend school on Good Friday, which was the Friday prior to Easter Sunday, and we were out the day after which was called Easter Monday. When my children were in school they were out the entire week prior to Easter Sunday and it was called “Easter break,” but now it is referred to as spring break.
This week out of school, in Virginia no longer coincides with Holy Week, or the Sunday of the Resurrection.The schools may be closed a week earlier or later, in order to distance themselves from a religious activity that is not observed by everyone.
Many churches hold special services the Sunday prior to thee observance of the resurrection, which is called Palm Sunday. This is the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt, and the people put palm branches on the ground in front of Him.
In the 6th century, a monk by the name of Dionysius Exiguus was responsible for time being measured by BC, before Christ, and AD, Anno Domini which is Greek for In the year of our Lord. You may not be one who observes Passover, or Nissan. Good Friday, Palm Sunday, Easter, Holy Week, Resurrection Sunday and Easter Monday may mean absolutely nothing to you.
There is one issue however, that not one of us can escape. Despite our many differences, and religions or not, we all have one thing in common. Atheist, Agnostic, Jew, Gentile, Christian, Pagan and everything in between are all living and breathing in a society that is based on Jesus Christ.
The using of BC and AD is an acknowledgement of Him. Whether you believe He did not exist, He was a mere man, only one of many prophets, the founder of a new religion, or the Son of God, Jesus is a game changer, because all history is set up before and after entrance into the world.
