Christmas and Easter

Why is it that so many more people celebrate Christmas than Easter? Why is Christmas given so much more attention?

I guess the best answer is “tradition.” It has become customary for people to spend, and spend some more, on gifts for family, friends and co-workers. Originally, gifts were given to celebrate God’s gift to the world of His Son, but now, Christmas is the make or break time of the year for merchants. The hoopla and celebrations start the minute Halloween decorations come down in stores. Christmas wrapping paper goes on sale November 1!

On the other hand, Easter gets comparatively little thought from those whose hearts do not follow deeply what happened on that first Easter: For the only time in history a man rose from the dead to live forever with His Father in Heaven.

Everyone knows that every living creature was born. Everyone knows that all people die at some point in life. But not everyone believes that the man who rose from the dead on that first Easter lives still, nor that those who do believe will do the same.

Jesus told his disciples that those who saw Him after His resurrection will be blessed. He also said, “Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed.”

Do you believe?

by Jim Newell, Glen Acres Baptist Church, Waterloo