Easter is arguably the most important holiday for Christians. The death and resurrection of Jesus are the foundation of Christian beliefs. So how has a holiday with so much meaning been seemingly taken over by the Easter Bunny and marshmallow chicks? What should we as Christians make of it all?
The decorating of eggs for Easter can be dated back to at least the 13th century. One explanation is that eggs were forbidden during Lent and were boiled or roasted as a way of preserving them. They were then decorated as part of the Easter Celebration.
The origin of the Easter Bunny also can be traced back to the 13th century in pre-Christian Germany. At some point, the traditions combined and the Easter Bunny got the job of delivering the eggs and other gifts to good girls and boys in a Santa-like fashion.
Probably not too surprisingly, the candy association to Easter was largely developed in America. The jelly bean, a take on the centuries-old Turkish Delight, are thought to have surfaced in Boston in 1861. Likely because of their egg-shaped appearance, they became associated with Easter in the 1930s.
The marshmallow Peep was developed in Bethlehem, Penn. in the 1950s. Our sweet tooth and effective marketing have taken over and Easter is now the second best-selling candy holiday in America.
The name Easter we now ascribe to the day is likely derived from the pagan goddess Eostre who represented fertility and the arrival of spring. The Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus had similar timing as the spring festival associated with Eostre and eventually the two came together with the emphasis being the resurrection but retaining the name of Easter.
We can lament that the most significant holiday has a name with pagan origin, but I imagine the followers of Eostre would not be happy about the name now being synonymous with the resurrection of Christ either.
So how are we as Christians supposed to react to what Easter has become in our culture? The reactions have ranged from ignoring the holiday altogether to starting with some good symbolism but eventually making the day more about dressing up, candy and eggs than about celebrating the resurrection of Jesus.
I think Colossians 2:16-17 provides some insight: “Therefore no one is to act as you judge in regard to food or drink in respect to a festival or new moon or a Sabbath day – things which are a mere shadow of what is to come but the substance belongs to Christ.”
My interpretation of this would be: celebrate (or not) in a manner in which you can give honor to Christ and do not get too judgmental about how others do. In the end your salvation depends on your response to what was accomplished on the cross and through the resurrection, not on how you celebrate Easter.
The best way we can honor Christ’s resurrection is showing evidence of new life by following his commandments each and every day.
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