How did Easter come to be the holiday that Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ - the ascension of life over death?

The simple answer - somewhat short version, Christians had long celebrated Sunday as resurrection day, in remembrance of Christ's passion and ascension. Constantine was the Roman Emperor from 306 AD to 337 AD. His mother had adopted Christianity. It is generally accepted that Constantine was a clever opportunist. Christianity's popularity had grown past being able to be suppressed by the Roman Empire. So, Constantine had Christianity legally recognized. He "christianized" common cultural holidays of the time. It was a brilliant political move. The lasting effect on the purity of Christianity is still passionately debated. Constantine continued throughout his lifetime to practice the Roman pagan religion - he worshipped the sun-god "Sol". Constantine was baptized on his deathbed as a Christian, at the request of his mother.

"Pagan roots of Easter - Daily Kos

The March or spring equinox is used as a determinant for what modern Christians celebrate as the holy day of Easter.

As a budding young feminist, I was fascinated with the idea of female symbols of power, and lapped up tales of Eostre (Ostara) along with Aphrodite, Ashtoreth, Demeter, Ishtar, Kali, and Yemaya.

The name 'Easter' originated with the names of an ancient Goddess and God. The Venerable Bede, (672-735 CE.) a Christian scholar, first asserted in his book De Ratione Temporum that Easter was named after Eostre (a.k.a. Eastre). She was the Great Mother Goddess of the Saxon people in Northern Europe. Similarly, the 'Teutonic dawn goddess of fertility [was] known variously as Ostare, Ostara, Ostern, Eostra, Eostre, Eostur, Eastra, Eastur, Austron and Ausos.' Her name was derived from the ancient word for spring: 'eastre.' Similar Goddesses were known by other names in ancient cultures around the Mediterranean, and were celebrated in the springtime." -Denise Oliver Velez, Daily Kos: Pagan roots of Easter

Making Work Meaningful and Sustainable in the New Economy  - The 7 keys to regaining control of your life, work, and destiny

series key 1:  Stay Connected… Get Connected

“We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men; and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects.”  ―Herman Melville

Stay connected within important spheres of influences from one’s own experience...

• work associates - past and current
  
• related trade associations and organizations
  
• community business groups and networking
• friends and peer groups
• actively participate in internet and social media interaction
  

Become connected within new spheres of influence and affinity groups…

• local media and publications
• participate in community organizations and events
• serving in community - volunteering opportunities
  
• joint venture opportunities - mutually beneficial partnerships
• referrals from friends and peer groups
• internet and social media - connecting with the like-minded
  

People want to do business and experience life w others that they
Know, Like, Trust…

And it helps a lot… if you/and they are someone to be admired and modeled…

dreams make the best realities...

"All our dreams can come true, 
if we have the courage to pursue them." 
-Walt Disney

I like book people! they are Change-the-World people!

New book from my friend MeiMei Fox, NY Times Bestselling Author, about a remarkable and extraordinary life: 

Bend, Not Break: A Life in Two Worlds
By Ping Fu, MeiMei Fox 

“Bamboo is flexible, bending with the wind but never breaking, capable of adapting to any circumstance. It suggests resilience, meaning that we have the ability to bounce back even from the most difficult times. . . . Your ability to thrive depends, in the end, on your attitude to your life circumstances. Take everything in stride with grace, putting forth energy when it is needed, yet always staying calm inwardly.” 
—Ping Fu’s “Shanghai Papa”


Ping Fu knows what it’s like to be a child soldier, a factory worker, and a political prisoner. To be beaten and raped for the crime of being born into a well-educated family. To be deported with barely enough money for a plane ticket to a bewildering new land. To start all over, without family or friends, as a maid, waitress, and student.

Ping Fu also knows what it’s like to be a pioneering software programmer, an innovator, a CEO, and Inc. magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year. To be a friend and mentor to some of the best-known names in tech­nology. To build some of the coolest new products in the world. To give speeches that inspire huge crowds. To meet and advise the president of the United States.
 
It sounds too unbelievable for fiction, but this is the true story of a life in two worlds.

there is no box... and no lid

just know that ϡ

"The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one." -Malcolm Forbes