The '''Easter Bunny''' (also called the '''Easter Rabbit''' or '''Easter Hare''') is a fantasy character depicted as a [[rabbit]] bringing [[Easter egg]]s. Originating among German [[Lutheran]]s, the ''Easter Hare'' originally played the role of a judge, evaluating whether children were good or disobedient in behaviour at the start of the season of [[Eastertide]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Cross|first=Gary|title=Wondrous Innocence and Modern American Children's Culture|year=2004|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=0195348133}}</ref> The Easter Bunny is sometimes depicted with clothes. In legend, the creature carries colored eggs in his basket, candy and sometimes also toys to the homes of children, and as such shows similarities to [[Santa Claus]], as they both bring gifts to children on the night before their respective holiday. The custom was first mentioned in [[Georg Franck von Franckenau]]'s ''De ovis paschalibus''<ref>{{Cite book | first=Georg |last=Franck von Franckenau | authorlink=Georg Franck von Franckenau | title=Disputatione ordinaria disquirens de ovis paschalibus / von Oster-Eyern | place=Heidelberg | year=1682 | series=Satyrae Medicae | volume=XVIII | page=6 | url=http://www.europeana.eu/resolve/record/09428/16F89A4DE8E09EA88DE2CFDFC5443B4D04B40E1F | accessdate=18 July 2013}}</ref> (About Easter Eggs) in 1682<ref>[http://www.occultcenter.com/2008/03/easter_bunny_origins/ Easter Bunny - What Does He Have To Do With Easter?], occultcenter.com</ref> referring to a German tradition of an Easter Hare bringing Easter Eggs for the children. In many [[church service]]s on [[Easter Sunday]], a live rabbit representing the Easter Bunny, is brought into the congregation, especially for the [[children's message]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Brian|title=Holy hare helps out at local church|url=http://kentwired.com/holy-hare-helps-out-at-local-church/|publisher=Kent State University|accessdate=2 April 2013}}</ref>