Do Christians Really Need to Celebrate Easter?

The lofty significance of the celebration of Easter is universally shared amongst almost all Christian denominations. This day which may fall variously between some time in March or later in April each spring is considered the highest day on any Christian calendar. Christians, both true and nominal, attend many types of celebrations: masses, Sunrise services, morning worships, afternoon programs. Services on these days may include pageants, cantatas and plays. Indeed many who make no overt or active commitment to Christ will be found in some house of worship on Easter Sunday.

In the secular world Easter is also a significant day. For decades Easter has provided merchants with the opportunity to make huge profits. Clothing manufactures benefit from the sale of extravagant fashions; Christians and non-Christians alike have felt the need to celebrate the day with fancy new outfits. Confectioners flood stores with candies such as chocolate and marshmallow bunnies, jelly beans and cream filled eggs. Hundreds, indeed thousands of eggs are purchased for the fun of coloring them and hiding them for the traditional Easter egg hunts. Unlike the holiday of Christmas where nativity scenes and angels are among the paraphernalia that is sold throughout the season, nothing remotely religious is proffered during the corresponding time of year when Easter falls. The icons that represent Easter are bunnies, bonnets and eggs. What do these have to do with anything Christian? Perhaps the better question is, "What is Easter all about and why do Christians celebrate it at all?"