What does the Bible say about Easter and should Christians celebrate it?
Introduction
The event celebrated on Easter—the raising of Jesus from the dead—is the absolute sine qua non (essential condition) of the Christian faith. The Apostle Paul states that “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). Therefore, a Christian should certainly celebrate the event.
The real conflict arises from the fact that this sacred, life-giving event is packaged within a holiday that often includes secular distractions, pagan symbols (like eggs and bunnies), and intense social pressure toward triviality.
Main: Protecting the Resurrection from Worldliness
The Christian's goal is to ensure the power of the Gospel is not diluted by the trappings of culture.
1. Anchor the Celebration to Biblical Fact (The Cornerstone)
Your celebration must be anchored in the historical and theological weight of the Resurrection, not on the lighter elements of the holiday.
The Reason for Being: Remind yourself and your family that the Resurrection proves Jesus is the Son of God, seals the forgiveness of sins, and guarantees the future bodily resurrection of all believers. This event is the reason we gather on Sunday.
A Prophetic Fulfillment: The Resurrection fulfilled the Jewish Passover (Christ is our Passover Lamb—1 Corinthians 5:7). Use the occasion to study the deep connection between God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt and Christ’s deliverance of humanity from sin.
2. Disarm Secular Symbols and Counteract Triviality
The cultural additions to Easter are a strong distraction that must be handled wisely, especially when involving children.
Triviality vs. Truth: The inclusion of the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs (which symbolize fertility and new life in some pagan traditions) can reduce the focus from the empty tomb to a cartoon mascot. Christians are free to participate in these traditions, but they must do so intentionally and theologically.
Use the Symbols to Teach: Reclaim the symbols by making them point to Christ: The egg can represent the promise of new life and resurrection that comes from the tomb. The celebration of spring can remind us that Christ’s victory brings spiritual renewal and new creation. Always ensure the truth of the Gospel is the last and most emphasized lesson.
3. Practice Discipline Against Consumption and Excess
The secular holiday often encourages the same consumerism and gluttony seen at Christmas.
Focus on Sacrifice and Fasting: The Lenten season preceding Easter (which culminates in Holy Week) is a traditional period of fasting and self-denial. This spiritual discipline is the opposite of gluttony and prepares the heart for the feast of Resurrection Sunday.
Avoid Debt for the Celebration: Resist the pressure of expensive "Easter outfits" or excessive basket spending. The joy should come from the spiritual reality, not the material accumulation. Steward your money wisely, and redirect funds toward outward acts of service that reflect the Resurrection's power to change lives.
Conclusion
Should Christians celebrate Easter? Yes, enthusiastically and unapologetically.
Your freedom to celebrate is also the responsibility to celebrate rightly. By focusing on the historical victory, using biblical terms like "Resurrection Sunday," and rejecting the spiritual, financial, and physical excesses of the culture, your celebration becomes a powerful, clean, and joyous testimony to the triumph of Jesus Christ.
