Why Is Easter So Early?

Have you ever wondered why Easter is sometimes in March, and then the next year might be at the end of April? When you are sick, you will research anything. I did a little research, and thanks to several sources, including Tim Stevens, it turns out that you can blame Pope Gregory the 13th. Greg, along with Lilius and Clavius, decided the current method 424 years ago. Get ready for some madness! :>)

Evidently, the aim of the Easter Dating Method is to maintain, for each Easter Sunday, the same season of the year and the same relationship to the preceding astronomical full moon that occurred at the time of Jesus' resurrection in 30 A.D. An ambitious goal, but very confusing nonetheless. Will someone please contact the current pope, or Perry Noble, or our very own Matt Smith, and suggest that Easter always be celebrated on the first Sunday in April. While you are at it, can you contact the public school systems and ask that they NOT schedule Spring Break during Holy Week. This bothers me and encourages people to travel during Holy Week. I am sure they want to know how I feel about it. :>)

Until some of these suggested changes take effect, you'll be glad to know that there are limits. Easter can never be before March 22 or after April 25. This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives, since it won't happen again for another 220 years. (If you think you will be around then, come and see me) Oh, and the last time it was this early was 1913.

Here are the dates for Easter for the next four years...

2009 - April 12
2010 - April 4
2011 - April 24
2012 - April 8

If you are a newhoper, please, for the love of God, invite a friend to church with you. It might make an eternal difference. I promise to do my best to present the gospel in a clear and compelling manner. If you are not a newhoper, I pray the resurrection power of almighty God envelops you and your church this weekend.

Peace -