Hot Fish Buns – What Easter is Really About

This is an article that I originally posted last Easter and , although it has been amended a little, I thought it might be useful to re-post it in case others might want to use the idea this time around. 

                                                          ******

For centuries the traditional Hot Cross Bun was originally limited in its production to Easter as a sign of the central meaning of that most important Christian festival. However, it is now greatly reduced in its symbolism because it is available everywhere throughout the year, starting the day after Christmas! My local baker told me it is his best-selling product through the year! Few who buy Hot Cross Buns pay much attention to the message of the Cross on it any more.

So we decided to strike back and produce our own ‘Easter Bun’ with the Ichthus symbol of the Fish, one that still carries the message of Easter, as the attached Handout explains.

Buns with the Fish symbol on them have the advantage that they encourage non-Christians to ask what it means, which sadly the Hot Cross bun rarely does anymore. This creates the opportunity for a gospel conversation, and indeed has done so many times.

So we placed an order with our local baker to produce Hot Fish Buns. They are used as gifts given to customers and others present in the places where ‘Unbounded Church’ Missional Communities meet.

You might like to try it!

                                        *****

The Leaflet we use-

                   What Easter is Really About

The Hot Cross bun was traditionally only produced at Easter, the Cross being a reminder of the central meaning of Easter which is Jesus’ execution on the Cross so that we might be saved from the consequences of our choosing to leave God out of our lives. If we do that the result is a new relationship with God. However, the Hot Cross Bun has become so common that for most people it has largely lost its connection with Easter. In the first century, Christians used the letters that make up the Greek word for fish (Ichthus) to explain the meaning of Easter hence-

I        – Iēsous  –              Jesus

Ch      – Christos –             Christ

Th      – Theou –                God’s

U        – Uios –                  Son

S        – Swtēr –                Saviour

So, the message of the ‘Hot Fish Bun’ may now perhaps serve better as a reminder of Easter’s purpose,