Many people might insist that we should embrace the religious aspects of Easter for cultural relevance. A friend shared a funny story about her child confusing the resurrection of Christ with a “force ghost,” wondering if Jesus was akin to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Although his parents were shocked, I found that comparison quite clever. In our household, we celebrate Easter without a focus on Jesus, and when I recounted this tale to my partner, he challenged me to ask our youngest about who Jesus is.
“No way,” I replied. “His godparents might sense a disturbance in the universe and get upset.”
Clearly, we’re fans of pop culture references in our family. The truth is, if I were to ask my two youngest kids who Jesus was, they would probably just stare blankly and mumble something about Christmas and Bibles. After stepping away from church a few years ago, we haven’t found a replacement for that structure, although I’ve embraced a more general sense of mindfulness and Dharmic principles. I’ve shared some Old Testament stories as part of their education, so they’re aware of figures like Adam and Eve and Noah, at least in the context of various creation and flood myths. They understand that the major religions stem from Abraham, and my oldest has a basic grasp of his historical significance.
When it comes to major holidays, I don’t identify as Christian. We celebrate both Christmas and Easter without any ties to Jesus.
The Essence of Easter
It’s common knowledge that early Christianity borrowed elements from various traditions (St. Augustine referred to it as “Egyptian gold,” taking what was valuable from other religions). The Venerable Bede, one of the earliest Saxon Christian chroniclers, mentioned Eostre as the mother goddess of the Saxon people, according to Religious Tolerance. Similar ancient goddesses had names that reflected the dawn. These traditions merged with themes of resurrection and renewal, embodying symbols like baby chicks and bunnies.
Thus, our Easter celebration focuses on welcoming spring. Living in the South, this is particularly easy to do, as the trees are budding, dogwoods are blooming, and azaleas are vibrant. It becomes a joyful expression of gratitude for the arrival of spring after a long winter — plus, there’s a chocolate bunny involved!
Maintaining Traditions Without Jesus
While we celebrate Easter without Jesus, there’s no shortage of tradition. Easter attire is a must. I often dress my kids in their best clothes, despite their protests, and then send them off to hunt for eggs in our yard. I usually wear a white dress and a large hat, and my partner will sport something bright like a pink polo. Looking sharp is part of the fun!
Easter also calls for baskets, which fit seamlessly into our version of the holiday. Growing up, we had to bring ours to church for a blessing to keep them from being “pagan.” Now, our baskets can embrace their pagan roots! We fill them with colorful paper “grass” and candy that captures the essence of spring, such as Robin’s Eggs and countless Peeps.
And then there’s the ham. Why is ham a staple of Easter? No one really knows. I’m a vegetarian, so I don’t partake, but there’s no reason we can’t enjoy it within our Easter festivities. All culinary delights, from ham to macaroni and cheese to pecan pie, hold their place on our table, even without Jesus.
Celebrating Togetherness
Above all, Easter is a time for togetherness, marking the end of winter’s gloom and the beginning of spring. This year, our family’s resilience makes this celebration even more special. We can easily find joy in Easter without Jesus, as there’s so much to be thankful for this season of hope.
Both my partner and I just received our second Moderna vaccine, and if we express gratitude around our Easter table, it will likely be directed toward Dolly Parton. Her contributions to the world have set an inspiring example for us all.
We’ve navigated through the long, dark winter of the pandemic — a time filled with fear, exhaustion, and sadness. But now, as spring unfolds with blooming trees and fresh leaves, we feel hope on the horizon. Together, we’ve sacrificed as a family, and now, we can see an end to the challenges we faced.
Easter without Jesus won’t be an empty occasion. It will symbolize our season of hope after enduring a winter of despair. We have a bright future ahead of us, and we’ll celebrate Easter together, joyful and aware of our sacrifices and the renewal of our world.
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In summary, Easter can be a meaningful celebration without a religious focus. It’s an opportunity to embrace spring, family togetherness, and cherished traditions, all while reflecting on our collective journey and the hope that lies ahead.
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