Christianity and Good Friday
Good Friday is a significant day of observance for Christians around the world as it marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. On this day, Christians commemorate the death of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to save humanity from sin and reconcile them with God.
For Christians, Good Friday is a day of solemn reflection and repentance, as they remember the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is a day to meditate on the immense love and mercy of God for sending his only Son to die for the sins of humanity.
The Way of the Cross
For the Catholic Church, it is the day when popular activities such as The Way of the Cross take place. Good Friday is a part of the Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday, followed by Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and culminates in Easter Sunday, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Way of the Cross, also known as the Stations of the Cross, is a traditional Catholic devotion that commemorates the events leading up to and including the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The devotion consists of 14 stations, each representing a different event or moment in the story of Jesus’ journey to his death on the cross.
The stations typically include:
Jesus is condemned to death
Jesus takes up his cross
Jesus falls for the first time
Jesus meets his mother, Mary
Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry his cross
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
Jesus falls for the second time
Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
Jesus falls for the third time
Jesus is stripped of his garments
Jesus is nailed to the cross
Jesus dies on the cross
Jesus is taken down from the cross
Jesus is placed in the tomb
The Way of the Cross is typically prayed during the season of Lent, especially on Fridays, and is often used as a way to reflect on the sacrifice that Jesus made for humanity. It is a solemn and contemplative devotion that can help deepen one’s understanding and appreciation of the Christian faith.
The Easter Bunny
Away from Christianity, in countries like the United States and countries in Europe like Germany, Easter, as a whole and not just Good Friday, comes with a different celebration; the Easter Bunny.
According to the Smithsonian Magazine, the Easter bunny is a celebrated character in Western Easter celebrations. On Easter Sunday, children look for hidden special treats, often chocolate Easter eggs, that the Easter Bunny might have left behind.
The mythical figure, the hare, is rooted in European prehistoric, Pagan and Greek traditions.
Spending time with family
For most Kenyans, however, it is also a day to spend time with family, either by travelling upcountry, enjoying a holiday away from home or at home.
If you intend to visit any of Kenya’s national parks this long weekend, the Kenya Wildlife Service has advised that bookings be made early as they roll-out the “Easter Moto Moto in Kenya Parks” campaign.
Happy Easter!