Conclusion of Is Easter Really a Christian Celebration

Philippe Walter, a professor of medieval literature, explains how such customs became part of the Easter celebration. He wrote that "in the process of the Christianization of pagan religions," it was easy to associate the pagan festival   that celebrated "the passage from the death of winter to the life of springtime" with Jesus' resurrection. Walter adds that it was a key step in  introducing "Christian commemorations" to the pagan calendar, thus smoothing the way to mass conversion.

This process of "Christianization" did not occur while the apostles were still alive, because they acted as a restraint" against paganism. (2 Thessalonians 2:7) The apostle Paul warned that after  his "going away," men would "rise and speak themselves."  (Acts 20:29, 30) And late in the first century, the apostle John wrote that some men were already misleading Christians.  (1 John 2:18, 26) The way was open for the eventual adoption of pagan customs.

Some may feel, however, that allowing some of the Easter customs was not wrong-that it gave "pagans" a better  understanding of the meaning of Jesus' resurrection. Paul, however, would never have agreed. Although exposed to many pagan customs while traveling through the Roman Empire, he never adopted any of them to give  people a better understanding of Jesus.   On the contrary, he warned the Christians:  " DO not become unevenly yoked the unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness?  'Therefor, get out from among them, and separate yourselves ," says Jehovah, 'and quit touching the unclean thing." -2 Corinthians 6:14, 17.  

What is the result of our brief examination of the details?  It has clearly revealed that Easter is not a Christian celebration. 

Next time: Jairo's Eyes His Way to Serve God

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015