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Many people might insist on the importance of including Jesus in Easter celebrations for the sake of tradition and cultural significance. I recall a friend sharing how her child mistook the resurrection for something akin to a Jedi ghost, asking, “So Jesus is like Obi-Wan Kenobi?” This left their non-religious parents bewildered, but I thought it was a clever comparison. In our family, we celebrate Easter without a religious context. When I shared this with my partner, he jokingly dared me to ask our youngest about Jesus. “No way,” I replied. “His godparents would definitely sense a disturbance in the Force!”
It’s true that if I were to inquire about Jesus, my younger children would likely just stare blankly, perhaps mumbling something about Christmas. After stepping away from church a few years back, we have not replaced it with much else. While I’ve embraced a more mindful, less dogmatic approach to spirituality, I’ve occasionally shared some Old Testament tales as part of broader education. My kids know that the Abrahamic faiths trace back to Abraham, but when it comes to major holidays, we celebrate Christmas and Easter without a religious framework.
The Essence of Easter
Historically, Christianity has borrowed elements from various pagan traditions, a concept St. Augustine referred to as “Egyptian gold.” The Venerable Bede mentions Eostre, the goddess of spring, as a figure in Saxon culture. This melding of traditions has transformed Easter into a celebration of renewal, complete with symbols like bunnies and baby chicks.
In our household, Easter is fundamentally about welcoming spring. Living in the South makes this particularly delightful; the trees are budding, dogwoods are blooming, and azaleas are bursting with color. We express gratitude for the arrival of spring, and yes, we indulge in some chocolate bunnies to mark the occasion.
Keeping Traditions Alive
Easter traditions remain intact even without a focus on Jesus. For instance, we love dressing up for the occasion—my kids may grumble, but they look sharp while hunting for eggs in the yard. I typically don a white dress and a big hat, while my husband sports a pastel polo. Looking sharp is a part of the celebration, and it doesn’t require divine endorsement.
Baskets are another key element. Unlike my childhood, where we took our baskets to church for blessings, our baskets can happily embrace their pagan roots. We fill them with colorful paper grass and an assortment of themed candies, like Robin’s Eggs and Peeps.
And then there’s the food. Why ham? It’s a mystery, but that doesn’t stop us from enjoying it. I’m vegetarian, but we can certainly appreciate the variety of culinary traditions, from deviled eggs to mac and cheese, without needing religious justification.
Togetherness in Celebration
Ultimately, Easter represents the end of winter and the joyful arrival of spring. This year, it feels particularly significant. After enduring a long winter, we can finally gather together to celebrate renewal. With both my partner and I fully vaccinated, we’ll express our gratitude around the table—perhaps even to Dolly Parton, who has made a remarkable impact in the world.
We’ve all experienced a challenging winter during the pandemic, filled with fear and uncertainty. As we welcome spring, we can see hope returning. Easter, even without Jesus, will be far from hollow. Instead, it marks a season of hope following a long period of darkness. We’ll celebrate the sacrifices made and the renewal ahead, doing so joyfully as a family.
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