Walking in the Valley A bi-weekly column, featuring one Christian's (a)musings on life's journey by Barbara Dahlgren

Easter - What Will You Do? Column for the weeks of April 1-15, 2006

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In two short weeks lots of people will buy new clothes to wear so they can darken the door of a church they rarely attend. They might color eggs and hide them for gleeful children to search out and find. Perhaps they will gather early on Sunday morning to look at a sunrise. There will be an abundance of bunny rabbits in every advertisement imaginable. Candy sales will rise and pastel colored baby chicks will unwisely be given to children as presents.

In spite of (not because of) all this, some will remarkably be able to see the resurrection of Jesus in this commercial melee and rejoice for they know that because he lives, we can live, too – forever.

Others in their righteousness will condemn to damnation anyone who takes part in the slightest aspect of celebrating Easter because they consider it pagan.

Some will ignore the day altogether.

What will you do?

Some Christians hold the premise that if there is no example of anyone doing it in the New Testament, it should not be done. Others believe that if the New Testament did not condemn it, it could be done.

It’s true that many customs surrounding Easter originated in un-Christian festivals and rituals considered (dare I say the “P” word) PAGAN. You won’t find the Easter bunny or Easter eggs in the Bible. After Christ died Paul didn’t yearly don his best toga for a sunrise service. However, many things we do came from pagans including wedding ceremonies, wedding rings, putting flowers on graves, embalming the dead, and having a wake. Even saying, “God bless you” when someone sneezes is questionable. Yet, these customs are accepted practices of the day even though not mentioned in the Bible.

Perhaps the more important question is not what you will do, but why?

If your intention is to dress up and go to church to show off your new duds, give your kid a basket of candy and let them hunt eggs to keep them out of your hair, or get up early to watch the sunrise because you want people to say, “Isn’t he spiritual?” then you might be missing the point.

If you truly think you should not participate in any aspect of Easter celebrations, then you probably shouldn’t. Whatsoever is not of faith, is sin (Romans 4:13). However, if you judge and condemn those who do, you might be on shakier ground than those you condemn. Judging others can be a dangerous business (Matthew 7:1, Luke 6:37, John 7:24).

If you truly know that Jesus came to earth, was crucified, died for our sins, was buried in a tomb, and rose again in three days, you are on the right track. Without the resurrection of Jesus, we have nothing to hang our salvation on. We have no promise. We have no future. We have no hope. Christ’s victory over the grave is our victory too. Our victory is in Jesus! If this realization is in your heart, then you’ll know why you’re doing what ever it is you choose to do.

So no matter how you celebrate or don’t celebrate Easter, remember that God looks on your heart. Whatever you choose to do, best be sure your heart is right with God.

Be sure to visit this page often to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.