Easter 2019 will be observed Sunday and all around the tri-state area preparations are being made to celebrate the special day in a variety of ways.

Easter is a Christian holiday observed around the world that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Easter Sunday is related to other celebrations such as Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, and Holy Week. The series of events and holidays begins with Lent, which is a 40-day period of fasting, praying and sacrifice. Lent concludes with the Holy Week.

Holy Week begins the Sunday immediately before Easter called Palm Sunday and commemorates Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem. When Jesus arrived into Jerusalem followers laid palm leaves across the road to greet him. Holy Thursday observes Jesus’ Last Supper with the 12 Apostles just before Good Friday, which observes Jesus’ crucifixion.

Easter Sunday then observes and celebrates Jesus’ resurrection. Many churches begin the Easter observance in the late hours of the day before on Holy Saturday in services called the Easter Vigil.

There are many Easter traditions with roots that can be traced to non-Christian and non-religious celebrations and an example includes Easter eggs, and games such as egg rolling and egg decorating. Egg decorating may have become part of the Easter celebration in recognition to the religious significance of Easter.

The Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum held their annual egg roll this past Saturday and Harrogate also hosted their annual egg hunt in the Harrogate Park.

In some households, the Easter Bunny delivers candy and chocolate eggs to children on Easter Sunday morning and is often delivered in an Easter basket. The exact origin of the Easter Bunny is unknown but some cultures associate the arrival of baby bunnies in the spring with birth and renewal.

Many also serve lamb as a tradition Easter dinner which has historic roots. The lamb was often used as the sacrificial animal in the Jewish tradition, and it is also frequently served during Passover.

For many, Easter holds celebrations and traditions that have been handed down from generation to generation. Right here in our community, our neighbors share with us what Easter means to them and what traditions they hold near to their hearts.

“Easter is a celebration of Jesus resurrection on the third day,” Lisa Lamb said. “Memories from growing up Easter was the one Sunday that everyone went to church. It was when you got a new dress, gloves and hat. Everyone gathering at mamaw’s for dinner and an egg hunt after church seemed like the chicken and dumplings never ran out regardless of how many family and neighbors showed up. Easter was about new beginnings, new life to nature when everything was in bloom. Praying that all we know experience the free gift of salvation because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.”

Chris Scott Earl explained that Easter to him meant the redemption through sacrifice on the cross.

“Redemption through a sacrifice on a cross that I don’t deserve,” explained Earl. “Humbleness in the blood that flowed down that cross that saved me from myself, a new beginning with a clean slate.”

“My parents raised us in church,” Teressa Venable Southern said. “We didn’t have a lot of material things but we had two of the greatest things. One: Jesus; Two: Love. Jesus died in a horrible way to save us and I love him!”

Nikki Bryant explain Easter showcased amazing love.

“Amazing love how can it be that my King would die for me. Amazing love I know it’s true. It’s my joy to honor you in all I do, I honor you,” were the words Bryant used to explain her emotions. “I spent three years running away from the Lord. Trying to do it on my own, and it took me almost losing my life before I realized I can’t do it without Him.

“And now all I want more than anything is for Him to use me to tell my story of where He’s brought me from. I spent three years running with the devil, and I’m not going to cheat my Lord out of anything anymore. He gets more amazing to me each and every day and I can’t believe that He could love someone like me, but I’m so glad and that’s what Easter means to me.”

Former Middlesboro Daily News Editor Brandy Calvert explained how the Easter Bunny visits their house on Saturday.

“When my kids came along, we really struggled with the distraction that the Easter Bunny brings, but wanted them to have those magical Easter Basket memories,” said Calvert. “From that, our tradition became Saturday Easter Bunny deliveries. He rings the doorbell, and then the kids find their baskets on the front steps on Saturday afternoon. They get to enjoy their things all day. Sunday, they’re able to focus on the message of the resurrection of Jesus.”

If you and your family are looking for events and activities to get involved in to celebrate the Easter season here is what is taking place this weekend:

April 19

• Stations of the Cross at 9 am and Good Friday Service at 3 p.m. at St. Julian Catholic Church located at 118 East Chester Avenue;

• Holy Week worship services will conclude at noon with a light lunch at Old Yellow Creek Baptist Church at 225 South 38th Street.

April 20

• Holy Saturday Easter Vigil at 7:30 p.m. at St. Julian Catholic Church located at 118 East Chester Avenue;

• Elks Lodge No. 199 will host an Easter egg hunt beginning at 11 a.m. at Middlesboro High School;

• East Cumberland Avenue Baptist Church will host a free community Easter egg hunt beginning at noon. There will be food, games, prizes and over 3,000 eggs to be found;

• Wilderness Road State Park’s annual Easter at Karlan celebration begins at 2 p.m. and children ages 13 and under are invited to join the Easter Bunny for a candy filled Easter egg hunt that highlights an afternoon filled with fun, games, and prizes. The event will include light refreshments and photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny. Participants are asked to bring their own basket. Admission to the event is $1 per vehicle. For more information, call 276-445-3065 or email wildernessroad@dct.virginia.gov.

• Lone Holly Baptist Church will hold its Easter egg hunt beginning at 10 a.m. A cookout will follow.

April 21

• Easter Sunday Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Julian Catholic Church located at 118 East Chester Avenue followed by an Easter egg hunt for children;

• Friends of the Airport will host an Easter Sunrise Service beginning at 7:15 a.m. at the Middlesboro Bell County Airport at 1420 Dorchester Avenue. Everyone is invited to the service and celebration will be conducted outside and on the runway of the FBO. Following the service, there will be refreshments and fellowship at the FBO. Inclement weather service will be inside the airport. For more information, contact Glynna Brown, airport manager, at 606-269-6910;

• Easter Sunrise Service will be held on top of Clinch Mountain beginning at 6:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome;

• Liberty Baptist Church will hold its Easter Sunrise Service beginning at 6:45 a.m. at the Liberty Cemetery. Evening Services are cancelled;

• Easter Sunday Mass at St. Anthony Catholic Church located at 315 Virginia Avenue in Pineville will be held at 9 a.m.

• Sunrise Missionary Baptist Church will hold its Easter Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. and the youth Easter program, “The Blood” will be held with regular church services. The public is welcome to attend;

• Indian Creek Baptist Church will host an Easter egg hunt at 1 p.m. There will be two different age groups and refreshments following the hunt.