Is Easter Really a Christian Celebration?

Easter is described in the Encyclopedia Britannica as the "principal festival of the Christian church that celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ." However, is it a Christian celebration? 

To establish the authenticity of an artifact, attention to detail is critical. Similarly, for us to see whether Easter is a celebration, it is essential that we take a look  at the details related to Easter. 

First of all, Jesus asked his followers to commemorate, not his resurrection, but his death. The apostle Paul called this occasion "the Lord's Evening Meal." - 1 Corinthians 11:20; Luke 22:19, 20. 

Additionally, many of the Easter traditions  "have little to do" with Jesus' resurrection, states the Britannica, "but derive from folk customs." For instance, regarding the popular Easter symbols the egg and the rabbit, The Encyclopedia of Religion says:  "The egg symbolizes new life breaking through the apparent death (hardness) of the eggshell."  It adds:  "The rabbit was known as an extraordinary fertile creature, and hence it symbolized the coming of spring." 

Next time: Conclusion of Is Easter Really a Christian Celebration? 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015