Spring time brings us flowers, warmer weather, April showers and May flowers. The season is a time to start fresh, rejuvenate yourself and clean out those closets! For Christians, it is the time to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord: "And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:4). Easter is celebrated by Christians with their own unique traditions all over the world. We all know the Easter Bunny hops through the U.S. on the bunny trail, but what hops through the rest of the world?

Across the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean lies our European neighbors. In Germany, Easter is referred to as Ostern. On Easter morning, like in the U.S., children awake to Easter baskets, egg hunts and chocolate galore. One of the main festivities is the burning of Easter Fires where friends and families light immense bonfires on Easter night and the following Monday night. The Huffington Post states that it came from the Anglo-Saxon period, where the ritual originally symbolized spring chasing away the winter with the light. To this day, the activities if followed by dancing, food and much drinking.

In Italy, the Easter celebration is called Pasque. The Pope will host a large, public mass for everyone and anyone. All of Holy Week is celebrated, with Good Friday having several ornate processions. One procession includes over 2,000 friars that tread through Sicily. After Easter mass, families celebrate with lamb, chocolate and dove-shaped breads.

To the far west lies Australia, which celebrates Easter very similarly to America. Families go to Easter mass and later enjoy chocolate eggs and hot cross buns, Like Italy, Australians have meals of lamb paired with roasted vegetables.

Hop back over to the Middle East to the country of Syria. In Syria, instead of saying "Happy Easter!" Christians say, "He is risen!" Most families do not have egg hunts and the day is focused on church and visiting friends and family. Easter is a special time to spend and celebrate the resurrection of the Lord with loved ones.

After briefly touring the world, I hope you have learned something! What are some interesting traditions I may have missed? Happy Easter!