Artist Unknown
First, Let me explain the reason for this post… and it’s going to be a long one, so hang on… or run the other way, whichever suits you…
For some reason that I fail to comprehend, I have been the recent recipient of a barrage of emails and comments that have basically attacked my integrity as a Christian for celebrating Easter. Yes, you heard that right… for celebrating Easter. The gist of the comments have basically been variations on a theme: That Easter was originally a pagan holiday that the Christians commandeered and I must be either ignorant, immoral or a flat out fraud if I choose to celebrate Easter. I have a number of problems with this assumption.
If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you have probably become aware of the fact that I am a Christian. Before I continue any further, I would just like to acknowledge for a moment that many people who read this blog are not Christians. I want you to know that you are welcome here. That I respect and value you as readers and that this post is in no way intended to be a sermon or an attempt to force-feed anyone my theology. So, please do not feel in anyway obligated to read this post… or any of my posts for that matter (grin).
At my blog, I do not often delve deep into the hows and whys of Christianity. My posts that speak to topics of personal faith tend to be more reflective in nature… things I have learned about myself, about my own faith. I blog pretty much how I live my life. What I believe is just a part of who I am. It just naturally comes out here and there as I chatter away, but I’ve never been the sort of person who could put together a post, or an everyday conversation for that matter, for the express purpose of Christian instruction … or discipleship (one notable exception being discussions with members of my own family).
So I was somewhat confused as to why people I didn’t even know, and had never spoken to or interacted with on any level, suddenly felt obligated to come here and share with me their opinion that I am an ignorant, immoral fraud. I haven’t until now even posted anything about Easter. And I’m not the sort who harasses other individuals over what they believe. If you’re an atheist or agnostic or member of a religion entirely different from mine, I’m not going to come hassle you about it. If you want to write on your blog that you believe the Easter bunny is an alien savior from another planet or that you prefer to dance around a maypole completely bereft of clothing by the light of the spring solstice moon, that is your prerogative. I’ll likely not be spending much time at your place if you fall into the latter two categories, but I’m not going to give you a hard time about it. And I expect the same courtesy here.
Lest I be misunderstood, by saying that people are free to do as they please, I am not intending to imply that I do not believe that some activities are morally bankrupt. I believe in standing up for what is right, and for living a life in harmony with what I say I believe. I just don’t believe it is my job to go and push the world’s face into the carpet and rub it’s nose in the mess it has made. I have messes of my own to attend to which keep me humble in my striving to live a Christ-like life. What I am saying is that those of us who call ourselves Christians, if we spent less time bickering amongst ourselves and pointing fingers and put half as much effort into living lives worthy of being called Christian, then perhaps more of the world would be inspired to do likewise.
So now, on to those pressing questions: Why do I celebrate Easter? Don’t I know Easter has it’s roots in a pagan holiday? Why don’t I celebrate Passover instead? Wouldn’t that make more sense? (I have paraphrased the questions for the sake of polite conversation) Here’s my answer… and it applies to any Christian holiday that I celebrate that may be believed to coincide with pagan festivities:
Why do I celebrate Easter?
I celebrate Easter because in my culture, it is the day we as Christians set aside to remember, give thanks, and celebrate the resurrection of Christ. I celebrate the resurrection of Christ because I believe Jesus is who he said he was: The son of God, who loved me so much that he died in my place, and that he was resurrected. He died so that I might live and because He now lives, He makes an eternity in heaven attainable for me through his grace. For me and for my family that is worth remembering, worth being thankful for, worth celebrating.
Don’t I know Easter has it’s roots in a pagan holiday?
I have heard this, yes. I have heard the same thing said about Christmas. In a recent conversation with my father-in-law on the topic, a pastor by the way, he made a very good point: Virtually any holy day that one could pick off the calendar is has likely been celebrated by some pagan group at some point in time. That for everything holy, there is a counterfeit. That while the word Easter does have pagan roots, that is true that “easter” is really “ishtar” one of the pagan gods and that tammuz her son is a resurrection figure, the celebration of the resurrection of Christ is most assuredly not a pagan practice. He went on to say, “I refuse to stop celebrating the resurrection of Christ simply because some pagan has counterfeited what God has done. I refuse to stop reveling over Christ’s resurrection because someone chooses to confuse ishtar with Christ. If we stop doing things because someone else has corrupted it or has counterfeited it then we might as well pack up and go into hiding.” A wise man, my father-in-law.
While I do have a problem with shifting the focus of Easter onto the Easter Bunny, I do not have any personal spiritual conflicts with the observance of Easter as the fulfilled promise of the resurrection of Christ, no matter where it falls on the calendar, and no matter what the pagans are celebrating at any point in time, past present or future.
“One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regards the day, regards it unto the Lord; and he that regards not the day, to the Lord he does not regard it. He that eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he that eats not, to the Lord he eats not, and gives God thanks” (Rom. 14:5-6)
I also teach my children about what the world believes. They know about the Easter Bunny, about Santa Claus. And they know they aren’t real. Around Easter time, they eat jellybeans and chocolate Easter bunnies, so long as they are gluten-free. And I don’t believe for a minute they are going to grow up and become converts to the worship of ishtar or any other pagan god or goddess because of it. They are jellybeans and chocolate nothing more. Do we really need to look for and see perversion in the innocent joys of childhood? At our house we don’t find it a necessity.
My father-in-law is quotable on this topic as well… “I can remember coloring eggs when I was a little boy. It happened at “Easter.” But not once did it ever provoke me to diminish my wonder over the resurrection of Christ. Call it compartmentalization, call it what you will, but to the pure all things are pure. To the impure of conscience everything is defiled. My counsel has been that if you can’t celebrate the wonder of Christ’s resurrection without these accouterments then you are in trouble spiritually. But I refuse to give up hot cross buns because some misguided soul equates them with some pagan ritual. They are flour, water, salt, and some other things that make them good to eat. And I can eat them freely without having one idolatrous thought.”
Amen, Dad.
Why don’t I celebrate Passover instead? Wouldn’t that make more sense?
Long story short, as a Christian I believe Easter (Or Resurrection Sunday, if you prefer) is a completion of the Passover ceremony. I have deep respect for the Jewish faith, for the Passover and all that it stands for. I have observed Passover with Jewish friends, and you will not find me saying a word against anyone observing Passover. However, as a Christian, I believe Jesus to be the fulfillment of the promise and prophecy contained within the Passover ceremony, and it is much more meaningful to me to celebrate the resurrection of Christ.
So. That is what I believe, and why I celebrate as I do. I hope this clears matters up for those of you drive-by types who have felt compelled to share your ‘wisdom’ with me.
Happy Easter!
Please Note: This was not written as an open invitation to debate this subject. It is a statement of what I believe personally and nothing more. You are welcome to leave comments on this post and to ask questions, and I will do my best to answer any questions of the reasonable and intelligent variety. However, I will be removing comments that are of inflammatory intent or seek to debate this topic. That is not the purpose of this post. There are plenty of other places on the internet to debate topic in the most detailed and heated manner you may choose. This is not one of them.
Easter origins of Easterholidaysparenting children motherhood faith kids Christian prayer living by example
Great post. We have very divergent beliefs but you have never at any point tried to force what you think on me or rejected me for my own….and for that I have the utmost respect for you. It is interesting to read why you celebrate Easter but you shouldn’t have to explain yourself, Michelle, this world is in the mess it is in because of intolerance and hate……you are a shining example of love and tolerance and I am proud to call you friend.
xxxxx
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:45 am
Wonderfully said! A couple years ago, our church celebrated the passover to gain a knowledge of it. It was neat because it was taught to us by a group called “Jews For Jesus.” I learned a lot of why they celebrate it and the significance of each item. I loved it most when the woman who led it said that they were no longer waiting for the Savior because they realized that He has already come!
I do the Easter egg thing with my kids, but not the bunny thing. Not that I didn’t ever do it, I just found out with my oldest how much it broke his heart that he had been lied to.
Love to read your posts! All of them! And I don’t doubt for one moment your Christian authenticity! Sorry you had some disturbing emails, but we are definately going to be attacked more as Christians. Don’t fret because your reward will come later. Just act like this smiley when you hear it:
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Wonderful, and poignant. Thank you for helping me along in my own thoughts today as to why I celebrate Easter as well.
Here it is a beautiful sunny day. I hope that sun finds its way to you today to help celebrate all the wonderful things there are to celebrate today.
I’m so happy Jacqui is on the mend.
March 22nd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Amen. Well said Michelle. I hope you and your family have a blessed Easter.
Thomas
March 22nd, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Right on! Why deprive our children of fun memories just because someone else celebrates for a different reason?
March 22nd, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Very well said. I can’t believe you get people writing you on such personal subjects. You are such an amazing person, I just don’t see what people are thinking.
I wanted to let you know that M is looking pretty good today. She has a spark in her eye. Possibly raising her Lamictal has helped. I am always so thankful for your comments knowing you have been there and are there and understand. Thank you.
March 22nd, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I am so sorry you have been the recipient of comments attacking your faith because you celebrate Easter, my sweet friend. Though we make a point of letting the children know that Easter is about the risen Christ, and not about bunnies, and eggs, we too celebrate it. My husband and I have actually studied in depth about whether we should continue to celebrate Easter, or whether we should celebrate Passover instead. We came to the same conclusion that you have. With another thought as well: As a modern Western society, it is a given that many Christians celebrate Easter as the time of Christ’s resurrection. To fail to celebrate it would cause confusion amongst unbelievers, and could even give them the impression that being a Christ follower is more about what we can’t do, than what we have gained. So we have decided that we will continue to celebrate Easter, with fellowship with family and other believers, and that our children will know the true reason for the season, but we won’t be telling them that eating candy and finding delight in searching out eggs is somehow a sin. Thank you for your post, and your courage to share what you believe and why you believe it. Blessings to you, my friend, and sister in Christ!
March 22nd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
I can’t believe that people come to your blog and actually do what you have mentioned! I can never understand how someone can post such vicious remarks to someone A) they don’t know and B) Someone so obviously open to all as you are. I know of one other person who has gone through a similar situation-though she was being told very awful things about how her beliefs were what caused the death of her child. I think it’s easier for cowards like that to blindly post then to say things so hurtful face to face.
My biggest wish for Andrew (and Jacqui and Kyle) is that people get over these labels that are out there and understand the one thing that I believe every religion and belief system has at it’s core: That we are all brothers and sisters in God (no matter what he is called per each religion). Of all things, this is the one thing that I try to teach Andrew each and every day. There is no one person better than the other, that if one needs something that you can provide you should be there for your brother or sister.
In my family as Polish Catholics, our Easter baskets have a bounty of meaning. Each and every item has a significance to the life of Christ and our celebration begins on Good Friday. (stop by and you can read all about our traditions
) My family has been very good in blending traditional religious ritual with “all inclusive” things like Easter bunny, eggs and candy which has always been put to us as honoring the rebirth not only of Christ, but the world as well as a sign of spring.
In that vein, I hope that the coming of Easter and Spring bring new life to you all, blessings and health-for Jacqui especially.
And to anyone who reads these words for that matter, regardless of your religious beliefs.
March 22nd, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Well said. I hope you have a wonderful Easter tomorrow!
March 22nd, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I have a bunch of chocolate eggs that I was wondering if you wanted to come over and share….
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Good thoughts.
I just wish we could celebrate Easter the weekend of Passover, since the original “Easter”, or “Resurrection Sunday”, actually happened at Passover. But whatever.
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:02 pm
You guys are all amazing! I didn’t actually think anyone was going to read this whole thing… I just wanted a link to send folks so I could stop having the same unpleasant conversation over and over
Jo - Thank you my friend. I like the world better for having you in it as well.
Shannon - We have done something like that a number of times as well… a Seder service. I think it is really important to understand the Passover as Christians in order to fully appreciate the significance of Resurrection Sunday. And your talking hand made me laugh!
Jenn - You have sunshine??? I’m afraid it’s gonna be a soggy Easter for us!
But a great day no matter the weather.
Thomas - Thank you, and we wish your family blessings as well. (I’ll come and take a peek and see if you have any GFCF thoughts for the day
)
Casey - I agree… I want our children to grow up but not tomorrow. Kids grow up fast enough as it is. We do our best to teach them to respect others and create an environment where they know that they are loved unconditionally. The rest will fall into place as they grow and learn. I knew you would get where I was coming from.
Marla - Thank you, my friend. I’m so glad M is better! And I’m so glad to help any way I can. CVS is a tough diagnosis. I’ve got a half written email to you I need to finish up!
Shalene - I couldn’t have said it better myself. I would prefer Easter was called Resurrection Sunday and that it would stay put on the weekend after Passover, but in our culture, Easter is when the resurrection is celebrated. And so I celebrate with a glad and grateful heart.
Ursula - I appreciate your sensitivity and your kind heart. We teach our children that no matter what religion someone is, even if we don’t agree with them or what they believe, every person is created in God’s image and should be treated with respect and compassion. And I am most grateful for your friendship, your kind wishes, and consistent encouragement to our family.
Momhubert - I agree. That’s where it belongs and it would be my preference to have it remain there as well. We make a point of observing Resurrection Sunday on the weekend of passover with our children on the years that they Easter doesn’t coincide with the historically correct date (which is the majority of the time). We use it as a quieter time to read the resurrection story and reflect on the significance of the day either as a preparation to, or reinforcement of our Easter celebration. But I wholeheartedly agree with you. We don’t make a fuss about the fact that Easter moves around and more often than not doesn’t observe the actual date, primarily for the reasons Shalene so aptly described. But I’m with you. I’d rather have it where it belongs.
March 23rd, 2008 at 5:14 am
Darling, hurt people hurt people.
Whole people heal people. Your healing loving kindness go far to that end.
Happy Resurrection Day! Happy Easter! Thank you for your darling, open walking of your life!
God’s favor and peace be with you. Be at peace.
March 23rd, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Thank you Donetta - Blessings to you and yours today as well.
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Banner Kidd -
I have deleted your comment not out of malice or disrespect, but because I clearly stated in my post that this was not the place to debate this topic. I do respect your opinion, and your right to express it. However, the intent of this post was not to debate. This post is to explain how and why I observe Easter and nothing more. I know you wrote your comment out of an intent to exhort your interpretation of a scriptural point of view and I have acknowledged in this post that people do interpret things differently, and have different beliefs. I respect that you have the right to believe as you choose. This is what I believe and why. You are most welcome here, and know that I respect that you have a different opinion than me. This was just not the time or place for debate.
So you know that it wasn’t my intent to deprive you of the opportunity to share your opinion, I will leave a link to your blog here.
And I will request that anyone utilizing the above link, please show Banner Kidd the same courtesy, kindness and respect that you show me here. Banner Kidd is a good guy with a great heart - we just believe a little differently about some things.
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Michelle,
May I just add that diversity is what makes our world a more interesting place to be. If we all held the same beliefs, this place would be boring, boring, boring.
Thanks for sharing your beliefs with us.
March 24th, 2008 at 4:36 am
Happy Easter!
We love to celebrate this wondrous holiday in our home, too!
March 24th, 2008 at 4:55 am
Though I don’t celebrate it due to personal conviction, I don’t begrudge other Christians who do. In a way it’s a good reminder of how much our Lord Jesus Christ suffered and died for our sins, and how much wrath we do deserve from God for our transgressions!
Hope you had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday, Mic!
Shalom, and God bless!
March 24th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Michelle, I just wanted to share that we had SNOW on Sunday…yeah. That icky white stuff is STILL covering the ground all over here…
March 24th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Well said. Happy Easter!
March 24th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
My internet was down for a few days, and so I am only just catching up on ALL
I have missed…
Happy Easter, this post was VERY well written with Grace and love of our fellow humans, whatever their beliefs!
You are such a diplomat!
and I agree 100%(thousand percent)
March 24th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
I will never stopped being shocked at what people will write to strangers simply because they have an email address or a blog site to comment on. My sister started a blog and has lost interest simply because there were people who thought every post she wrote was something to fight about (like whether to buy a fake or real Christmas tree). I love the way you express yourself in this post and will keep it in mind if I ever get questions, or accusations, like these.
Happy Easter.
March 25th, 2008 at 1:15 am
I came over on a whim after reading a comment you left at Scribbit.
I love how you expressed yourself with this post. Your FIL is wise, indeed.
There will always be those trying to make ill-will out of celebrating Christ for some reason or another. Doesn’t matter the day or the traditions we have adopted with the day, knowing who we are in Christ and all He has given for us is reason for celebration.
Hope you had a lovely Easter. God bless.
xo
March 25th, 2008 at 3:17 am
Well said!
Thanks for sharing your views, and I totally agree with Easter being the completion of Passover.
I cannot wait to be a mother and share Easter with kiddos, and buy them eggs and bunnies and more!
March 25th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Hi There, Jen
- One of the great things about our country is the freedom to believe as we choose. I agree, we are very blessed in this privilege. And I am blessed with the privilege of your friendship and the stories of your beautiful family!
Ordinary Mom - Hope your Easter celebration was filled with joy!
Isaiah - I respect your decisions as well and know that Christ’s resurrection is just as meaningful to you as it is to my family. Blessings to you and you lovely wife.
Carrie - Snow??? Guess I should just be delighted with rain when you put it in perspective like that
Angie - Happy Easter to you and your lovely family too!
Stacey - Sorry you’re having computer woes… no fun! And I hope your family had a wonderful Easter (and that you got that dress done!)
Ice Cream Diary - Oh, that’s too bad about your sister’s blog. I know what she means though. In the past few months I’ve had some bickering comments and some eye-widening emails… which is one of the reasons why I recently put up a comments policy. It’s helped some. I just try to remember the families that are getting help and encouragement from Jacqui’s story. If we can prevent one family from going through some of the hardships we have faced, then it’s worth the hassle
Thanks for your kind words and thoughtfulness - you’re always a ray of sunshine!
Cheeky - Hi and welcome! I couldn’t agree more for your reasons for celebrating and I hope you had a wonderful Easter. I hope that many such whims bring you back often
Sophie - I have a hunch you’re going to be a wonderful mother. It’s been a pleasure to get to know a little of you through your delightful comments.
March 26th, 2008 at 12:24 am