So how do we celebrate the Easter of death and sacrifice? With symbols that soften that harshness, like baby chicks, baby bunnies, and bright, happy colored eggs ( and let's not forget the chocolate! ). And while, Easter is about new life and all of these happy symbols can be made to represent that, is this how we should respond?
Does this effect our "witness" to the world as Christians? Or more specifically, what does the Bible say about this subject?
First, you will find NO VERSES in the Bible that talk about celebrating "Easter" ( note: Passover is mis-translated "easter" in KJV Acts 12:4 ). And if you look into history ( including the New Testament ) what you will find is the Apostles and early church celebrating Passover. And in history you find the first "debates" about the "holiday" surrounding the Resurrection Day about "which day" the church should be commemorating it. And slowly the "church" began shedding it's self from all things "Jewish" and the "appointed" feast of the Lord were set a side, and replaced by holidays that coincided with "pagan" festivals.
This does just not seem right to me. How about you?
What is the big deal, you ask?
First, I want you to READ Leviticus chapter 23. Noting the wording and emphasis on "the appointed times of the LORD", and "perpetual statute throughout your generations".
Just for the Jews, you say?
The early church did not think so. And we can see the "parallels" of each of these "appointed times" in Christ's ministry ( plus we see Him observing the "appointed times" ).
The Passover is about the blood applied, resulting in salvation.
We see on the "day after the sabbath" ( i.e. Sunday, the first day of the week ) the waving of the sheath of the "first fruit", again pointing to Christ, and the day of His resurrection.
Then next "appointed" time is Pentecost ( 50 ) when the new grain offering occurs, and the Holy Spirit came upon of the disciples in the upper room.
The third "appointed" time is in the fall ( the 7th month ). This time is full of symbolism that can be also correlated with the return of Christ. And this is also one of the two "feast of the LORD" that are clearly to be celebrated in the Kingdom, after Christ returns ( The feast of Tabernacles is also called the feast of the ingathering, reference Exodus 23:16 ). See Ezekiel's vision that starts in chapter 40 and runs through 48 ( the end of Ezekiel ). Take note of chapter 45 and verses 18 - 25, as they reference the two feasts that are to be observed after the LORD restores Israel, and His Glory is here on earth ( see chapter 39, noting versus 21 and 22 ).
Okay.. Books have been written about the Feasts and how they "fore shadowed" the coming of the Christ, and many things can be learned by the study of the feasts.
The question remains, does it matter?
Should we, as Christians, be celebrating them?
And is there "harm" in "mixing" pagan festivals and symbols with our "ministry" to bring the Gospel to the world.
While most of this is "innocent" and "meaningless" to the average person, I believe the incorporation of non-Biblical "myths" and "symbols" dilutes the message of truth we are to be sharing with the world. It is a form of compromise. It is allowing a little "leaven" into the "loaf" and this is clearly warned about in many ways and many places in the Bible. See what Jesus taught in Matthew 16, and Paul's warning in I Cor. 5:6-8, and Gal. 5:9.
And those who would say, but can we not be "all things to all men", are abusing the principal Paul was trying to get across in Romans chapter 14. You don't become a "murder" so you can reach other "murders". You don't practice witchcraft to "reach" the wizards and warlocks of the world. You use the "light" of the Word to expose the things hidden in the darkness. With love, you must proclaim the truths of God, as revealed to us in His word, and confirmed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. That others ( those who have not come to a trusting faith in Jesus Christ as their source of salvation, and as the Lord of the universe around them ), may "see" our LIGHT. And see an uniqueness about us. We are to be DIFFERENT, because we are DIFFERENT. We are children of the King, citizens of heaven, and ambassadors for Christ. We are to be Holy ( set a part ).
None of what I see taught in the Bible makes me feel right about Easter Bunnies, Santa Claus, or the Great Pumpkin. And I'd be careful before using the term "mother earth" or embracing the idea that we must "save" the planet ( be good stewards, yes ), because this planet is going to receive the wrath of God ( have you read Revelation lately ? ), and then He will restore and heal the land, when He returns to Rule and Reign from Jerusalem ( as mentioned in Revelation and most of the Old Testament prophets ).
Let me just leave you with some reference links. I might not agree 100% with these other resources, but the information provide should help provide a deeper understanding of this issue.
SEE:
Where did Easter come from,
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-t020.html
How the pagans ARE practicing Easter today,
http://www.ehow.com/how_2124313_hold-pagan-spring-equinox-ritual.html
And the "date" of Easter ( a whole other topic for future discussion ),
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/04/12/easter-date-pagan
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartodecimanism
