Easter has always been one of the most important times of the year in the Christian calendar. For Catholics across the world, it trumps Christmas as the holiest week of all because it symbolises the foundation of their beliefs. After six weeks of Lent, in which people make sacrifices such as abstaining from eating their favourite foods or trying to give up smoking, Easter is the time to mark the end of the period of withdrawal and to celebrate. It’s not unlike Ramadan in that there is sacrifice, remembrance and respect followed by a celebration of life with family.

Christians mark the occasion that Jesus was crucified on the cross and rose from the dead three days later. Good Friday has always been a solemn day here in Derry, with people taking the time to go to church and be with their families. I remember being terrified as a child in Mass when the priest played a recording of the scene when Jesus was crucified, the voice of an actor playing Jesus booming across the parapet and along the rows of packed pews of bowed heads. “My God, why have you forsaken me?” rang out from Jesus’ mouth as he cried from the pain. It was like a mini version of Mel Gibson’s violent depiction of the death of Jesus in the film, The Passion of the Christ. The memories of sitting in the chapel surrounded by such strange noises and grown-ups acting weirdly stayed with me my whole life. It was difficult for me as a child finding a link between the spiritual part of Easter and the rows of chocolate Easter eggs that were waiting for me to devour the following Sunday.

Easter is celebrated around the time of the spring equinox, when this part of the world suddenly bursts into life after the tough months of a freezing winter reverie. Flowers bloom everywhere; little yellow bursts of sunshine as trees shake off their sleepy state. It is a time celebrated for the revival of life and the beginning of a warmer period of weather.

It’s interesting how Christian beliefs are intertwined with nature and the cycle of the earth. Ireland was a country of paganism long before Christianity came to its shores, so it’s no wonder that some of this symbolism has seeped into the collective psyche to become part of the belief system. It’s fascinating how people have embraced bunnies and Easter eggs as part of the holiest time of the year.

The rabbit is associated with Ostara or Eostra, regarded as a spring deity, and after whom Easter is named. The exchange of eggs has a long history and is seen as a symbol of new life, which can be seen all around at this time of year.

I believe it is a beautiful combination of old and new and of nature and symbolism that gives people the chance to appreciate both the wonders of nature as well as their religion. It makes sense that Christians sought to involve the old ways into the new and this tradition continues today.

Despite the commercialisation of the season, with advertisements focusing on making us buy bigger and more outrageous chocolate eggs — which seems the way of the world these days — Easter is a celebration of life; a defiant stand against death and darkness that looms constantly around us. It’s a time to be grateful for the life that surrounds us and remind ourselves of our faith in the power of humanity to change and adapt for the better.

My family will be celebrating on Easter Sunday with a home-made dinner followed by games, including an egg-hunt featuring some delicious chocolate eggs.

Have a happy Easter, everyone.

Christina Curran is a journalist currently studying a Masters in International Relations at Queen’s University, Belfast.