Three clowns went to Heaven on the same day and showed up at the pearly
gates. St. Peter looked them over and said, "Well, before you can enter the gates you have to answer one simple question,
to show you know something about why you're here."
The first clown stepped up to the gates, and St. Peter said, "Now, explain
to me, what is Easter?" The clown replied, "Oh, that's easy. That's the holiday in November, when everybody gets together
to give thanks, and eats turkey, and..."
"Wrong," replied St. Peter, "You'll have to wait." He turned to the second clown
and said, "What is Easter?" The second clown replied, "I know, Easter is about Jesus. In December, when we put up a nice
tree, exchange presents, and celebrate His birthday."
St. Peter shook his head in disgust at the second clown and sighed. He turned
to the third clown and said, "You look a little smarter than the other two... Now, WHAT IS EASTER?"
The third clown smiled and said, "I know what Easter is. Easter is the Christian
holiday that takes place in the spring. Jesus and his disciples were eating at the last supper, and He was deceived and turned
over to the Romans by one of his disciples. Then the Romans took Him to be crucified and stabbed Him in the side, made Him
wear a crown of thorns, and crucified Him. He died, and was buried in a cave sealed off by a large boulder." St. Peter smiled
and nodded.
The clown continued, "And every year the boulder is moved aside so that Jesus can come
out, and if He sees His shadow there will be six more weeks of winter."
