The Red-Headed Stepchild of Holidays
And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. Share on X 1 Corinthians 15:14
When it comes to holidays, Christmas often steals the show. Streets are lined with sparkling lights, stores pump out holiday music, and advertisements flood our screens with messages of joy and gifts. Christmas has become a cultural phenomenon, largely driven by commercialism and secular influences. But in the shadow of this grand celebration lies Easter—the holiday that should hold far more spiritual significance for believers but is often relegated to a weekend of candy, eggs, and pastel decorations.
For further insight on this scripture, listen to this verses Spiritual Kick Off episode here.
As Christian men, it’s our responsibility to reclaim Easter, teach our families its true significance, and make it the cornerstone of our annual spiritual journey. Because while the birth of Jesus is miraculous, what He accomplished on the cross and through His resurrection is the foundation of our faith. Without Easter, there is no salvation.
Why Easter Gets Overlooked
One major reason Easter pales in comparison to Christmas is that it lacks the same “commercial sparkle.” There are no major shopping sprees or gift-giving traditions tied to it. And the themes of death, sacrifice, and repentance aren’t as marketable as the warmth and nostalgia of the Christmas season. But as believers, we know that the resurrection is the reason for our hope.
1 Corinthians 15:14 puts it plainly:
“And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”
Without the resurrection, our faith would be meaningless. Easter represents Christ’s victory over sin and death, securing our eternal future. It’s not just a holiday—it’s the hinge on which the entire Gospel turns.
The Origins of Eggs, Chicks, and Bunnies
The commercial and cultural symbols of Easter—bunnies, eggs, and chicks—have no biblical connection. Their origins trace back to pagan festivals celebrating spring and fertility, particularly those honoring the goddess Eostre, whose symbols were a rabbit and eggs. When Christianity spread, some of these symbols were co-opted by cultural tradition, but their original meanings persisted in secular celebrations. Today, Easter egg hunts and chocolate bunnies dominate the conversation, diverting attention from the empty tomb.
This is where we, as Christian men, must step in. It’s not about banning Easter egg hunts entirely—there’s room for fun and family traditions—but about ensuring that our families understand that Easter is primarily a celebration of the resurrection of Christ. The empty tomb should be the central image of our Easter celebrations, not a basket of candy.
Reclaiming Easter: Our Responsibility as Christian Men
1. Teach the Resurrection at Home
Just as we read the Christmas story with our families each December, we should be intentional about sharing the resurrection story during Holy Week. Walk through the events of Jesus’ final days, His crucifixion, and His resurrection using passages like Matthew 28:1-6:
“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”
Host a family devotion centered on the significance of the empty tomb and how it changed the course of history. Help your family understand that this isn’t just a historical event—it’s the reason we have hope today.
2. Lead by Example in Worship
The way we prioritize Easter in our homes sends a message to our families. Do we treat it as just another holiday, or do we elevate it as the most important day on the Christian calendar? Take charge by leading your family to church during Holy Week, attending Good Friday services, and making Resurrection Sunday a time of joyful worship.
Make sure your children know that Easter is not about candy or spring-themed decorations but about the victory Christ won over sin and death. Share Romans 6:4:
“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
Let them see that your excitement for Easter is rooted in gratitude for salvation, not in secular traditions.
3. Combat Cultural Distractions with Scripture
As fathers and leaders, we should be the ones helping our families filter out distractions. Just as we guard our children from harmful content on TV or online, we can guard the spiritual meaning of Easter from being drowned out by secular culture. Discuss verses like 1 Peter 1:3:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
Remind your family that Easter isn’t about temporary pleasures like chocolate or gifts—it’s about eternal life through Christ.
4. Make the Empty Tomb the Focus of Celebration
Consider creating new family traditions centered around the resurrection. Here are a few ideas:
- Resurrection Sunday Breakfast: Start the day with prayer and Scripture before heading to church.
- Family Communion: Lead your family in remembering the sacrifice of Jesus with a home communion service.
- Reflection Time: After Easter dinner, spend time sharing what the resurrection means to each member of the family.
The goal is to create memories that keep the resurrection at the forefront of Easter celebrations.
Why This Matters
As Christian men, we are called to be the spiritual leaders of our homes. Ephesians 6:4 reminds us:
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
This includes ensuring that our families understand the depth and beauty of what Christ did for us. When we emphasize the significance of Easter, we are helping build a foundation of faith that our children can carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Conclusion: Reclaim the Celebration
Easter doesn’t need to be the red-headed stepchild of holidays. When we shift our focus from eggs and bunnies to the cross and the empty tomb, we reclaim the celebration of the greatest victory in history. As Christian men, we have the responsibility to lead this charge—teaching our families, setting the example, and making sure that Easter becomes the joyful, meaningful celebration it was always meant to be.
This year, let’s show our families that the resurrection isn’t just part of the Gospel—it’s the Gospel.
Revelation 1:18 reminds us of Christ’s victory:
“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
Let’s celebrate accordingly.