In any case, the possible "Eostre" connection puts us in the 8th century at least, so I've long since ceded the etymological argument. Your argument against the rabbit connection is good, and I'll have to do some more digging in that area. For the eggs, since eggs go back well before the creation of Lent in connection with Spring and as fertility symbols, I don't think we can call that the origin of the link.
But set that aside for a moment while I do some digging. I've ceded some arguments here. Who would like to cede that Pesach was indeed kept on the 14th of Nisan in the Eastern churches until the Council of Nicea and Constantine's letter? Who would like to cede that we've replaced the Biblical commands and symbolism with man-made ones?
Sorry to take so long getting to this. I’ve just been so incredibly busy.
In short, the connection between East and Son is due to the word play between Son and Sun.
Where does the Sun rise?
An EASTER in your heart, B-Man, both now and always!
(And you know what I mean, don’t you?)
I have no problem ceding that the NT doesn’t give us any specific holidays to celebrate. I have no problem ceding that the OT holidays are not forbidden to Christians.
I just have problems agreeing that they are required for Christians, and I have problems agreeing that Christians couldn’t come up with their own reasonable celebrations.
After all, they are FREE!