There is a lot of confusion regarding what Easter Sunday is all about. For some, Easter Sunday is about the Easter Bunny, colorfully decorated Easter eggs, and Easter egg hunts. Most people understand that Easter Sunday has something to do with the resurrection of Jesus, but are confused as to how the resurrection is related to the Easter eggs and the Easter bunny.
Biblically speaking, there is absolutely no connection between the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the common modern traditions related to Easter Sunday. It is believed that in order to make Christianity more attractive to non-Christians, the ancient Roman Catholic Church mixed the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection with celebrations that involved spring fertility rituals. These spring fertility rituals are the source of the egg and bunny traditions.
Jesus’ resurrection is most worthy of being celebrated (see 1 Corinthians 15). Easter has nothing to do with Jesus’ resurrection on a Sunday.
As a result, many Christians feel strongly that the day on which we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection should not be referred to as “Easter Sunday.” Rather, something like “Resurrection Sunday” would be far more appropriate and biblical. For the Christian, it is unthinkable that we would allow the silliness of Easter eggs and the Easter bunny to be the focus of the day instead of Jesus’ resurrection.
By all means, celebrate Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. Christ’s resurrection is something that should be celebrated every day, not just once a year. At the same time, if we choose to celebrate Easter Sunday, we should not allow the fun and games to distract our attention from what the day should truly be all about—the fact that Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and that His resurrection demonstrates that we can indeed be promised an eternal home in Heaven by receiving Jesus as our Savior.
Tags: Easter bunny, Easter Egg, Resurrection, Resurrection Sunday
Sadly, the origin of the Easter bunny and the colored eggs have a very perverted past in which Christianity and Pagan customs were blended as a “people pleasing” compromise. (As you stated) The Greek traditions of ancient times (including the celebration of fertility as well as several Christmas traditions like the Christmas tree) were deeply engraved in the lives of the Greek and later Roman people. The blending of Christianity and Paganism pleased the majority by continuing comfortable and likable customs under different names and with additional symbolism. The resurrection aspect of Easter was originally just an “add-on”; not the center. As a result (like you stated) Christians today should reverse their priority and give thanks to God for the climax of human history!
This was an informative blog and one that i agree on what is said. One thing that i did not know was how the church of the Roman Catholics tried to invent or twist this day in order to make it more appealing to the general public as far as Christianity goes. Now there is nothing wrong with a little fun and games, but there is a time and place for everything. On this Sunday approaching it should be recognized as the day when our Lord and Savior resurrected from the dead and is still living today. If the image of “Easter” or “Resurrection Sunday” is skewed by all of these names then they should be done away with all together. In short this Sunday should just be about the amazing story of Jesus Christ when He died and resurrected.
I never knew the meaning of the easter eggs and the bunny until I reaqd this. I will now definitely take easter more serious.
What ou are saying is totally correct. Many people today are focusing on the wrong idea of what is meant to be celebrated. Our culture today has guided the young generations into believing that the true meaning of Easter is to pick up colorful eggs filled with candy. Instead we should really focus on the truth which is that on Easter, Christ rose for us. Sure, I must admit, the egg hunts are fun but we cannot forget the real meaning of the day, Christ.