Have you ever wondered why we have certain Easter traditions that have nothing to do with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection? I have. Especially once I had children. How would I reconcile the true meaning of Easter with these other traditions?
Easter week, or Holy Week, is the most important week in the Christian calendar.
Starting with Palm Sunday, this is the week when Jesus rode into Jerusalem knowing He would be crucified on Friday. Not only that, He knew His Father would raise Him up from the grave to full life just a few days later. Death was defeated. Sin paid for once for all. God’s eternal redemption plan completed.
If that is the meaning of this week, then why celebrate with the Easter bunny, colored eggs, and Easter baskets?
Just like Christmas, here in the USA, we have a hodge-podge of Easter celebrations gathered from all over the world.
Even so, Jesus is the central theme of this week. Honestly, the Easter bunny, colored eggs, and Easter baskets having nothing to do with Jesus.
Does this mean you and your family can’t enjoy these traditions?
That depends.
Here are a couple questions to consider:
- Does it dilute the meaning of Easter for you and your family? When our kids were little, we wrestled with this question. Our family did color Easter eggs, make special bunny-shaped treats, and hide baskets. We kept it simple and fun. They didn’t replace the meaning of Easter for us. We talked more about the amazing gift Jesus gave us through His death, burial, and resurrection than we did about eggs.
- Do you enjoy these additional celebrations? Ask yourself why you are doing what you are doing. Do you feel pressured to celebrate in a certain way? If your answers show that you feel this is wrong, then reconsider your celebrations. A holiday celebration that creates stress, anxiety, or guilt isn’t worth it. Find a better way to celebrate with your family.
Easter is an important celebration. Not because of the extraneous eggs, chocolate, and baskets, but because of Jesus’ redemption of our sins, which changes the course of our lives.
Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection we can now experience an intimate relationship with the Creator of everything. Our sin, which keeps us from fellowship with God the Father, was paid in full at the time of Jesus’ death.
Jesus’ resurrection is critical as well. Without the resurrection, Jesus was just another good man or prophet who died. The fact that over 500 people saw Him alive after He died, conversed with Him, and walked with Him proves to us that Jesus is God. Everything He said before His sacrificial death came true. Therefore, when He said He would come back to the earth again, we can trust that He will do just that.
Here are some exceptional resources:
So whether you and your family celebrate Easter with chocolate, colored eggs, and baskets or not is your choice.
More important is whether you celebrate the true meaning of Easter. Jesus came to earth, died a gruesome death on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins and mine, and then rose again to eternal life.
“The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” Tim Keller
This is our hope. Salvation through Jesus and eternal life with Him.
It’s the only thing that makes sense of this life.
Happy Easter to you and your family.
If you need help, please reach out. I promise to listen without judgment and help you take the next step.
