I love Jesus and I’m so thankful for His sacrifice on the cross. The horrible death He endured, by right, should have been me (or you!) in His place instead. He didn’t deserve it - He died for us. I’m even more thankful that He rose again and conquered death for us all! Praise the Lord!!

With the day we celebrate His resurrection nearly here, I am seeing a plethora of web sites and postings about this special day. Why oh why does there always have to be controversy over everything?! Easter is no exception.

There are those who believe, we should not celebrate any holidays at all. Period. Yet others who believe we should only celebrate those holidays found within the Bible. No others. Still others who believe we have freedom to celebrate any holiday, giving all Glory to God. What does the Word have to say on this?

Romans 14:5-23 in the NET Bible(r)" rel="external">Romans 14:5-23

“One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat……

Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men…..

So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.”

Those verses seem very clear to me - whatever we can do in faith, is not sin for us. If someone else does not feel they can celebrate Easter, or if they feel they must call it Resurrection Day, or whatever, then do as the Lord leads you! But it does not make anyone who celebrates a day, unto the Lord, wrong in doing so. But there are many who feel they are right, and if you don’t agree with their interpretation, then you are wrong. No grace for the Lord’s leading at all. That’s very sad.

Romans 15:7 says:

“Accept one another, then just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”

And Romans 16:17-19 applies to those who try to cause divisions within the body of Christ:

“I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people….; but I want you to be wise about what is good ; and innocent about what is evil.”

If all things are permissible (1 Corinthians 10:23), and the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it (1 Corinthians 10:26), then how could celebrating the Lord’s resurrection, giving all glory to God be wrong? What does it matter if it’s called Easter or Resurrection Day? I am innocent about what is evil. I do not read these threads or posts on the web much and do not investigate their truth of the pagan roots of such and such holiday. To do so, would no longer make me innocent of what is evil! I do not celebrate Easter and Christmas giving glory to satan and whatever pagan roots may or may not center around the specific day we traditionally celebrate these holidays. I give glory to God! Period.

“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

So what is the real reason behind these posts, web sites and topics of conversation centering around specific holidays? I believe some truly are just sharing their personal convictions and what’s on their heart - just offering a differing view and a glimpse into their family’s traditions. However, I believe others have a different agenda and are trying to stir up controversy and division within the church. How can we tell the difference? One who is just sharing their heart will not be trying to sway you to believe, or do things, their way. The others will most likely want to debate and argue their point, insisting that they are right and everyone else wrong. There will be an evident lack of grace in their words.

If you come across a web site, or topic of conversation, on the issue of celebrating holidays; and the Spirit prompts you to consider your traditions, then go to your husband and pray about it together, to decide what the Lord may be leading you to do in this area. If, however, you hear these conversations and you feel confusion, condemnation and guilt - those are from the enemy! Remove yourself from the conversation and rebuke those thoughts and go to the Lord in prayer!

What’s the Bunny Got to Do With It?

Nothing. The Easter Bunny is much like Santa Clause, a fun character - yes, I’m sure created to remove Christ from the reason for the celebration. There’s nothing sinful about bunnies! We view the Easter bunny, Santa Clause the same as we do Mickey Mouse or Veggie Tales: just fun characers. Nothing more. We do not focus on those things at holiday time, but my children know what they are and that they’re not real. That doesn’t mean we can’t have fun. I personally do not buy my children Easter baskets, but my parents do - so my children do get them. My children know full well what Easter is about. If getting an Easter basket from their grandparents every year would compromise my child’s faith, then their faith wasn’t genuine to begin with. I have confidence that I am training my children up properly in the Lord, as the Lord leads me to do so, and my God is bigger than any Easter basket or egg hunt!

I am convinced, in my own mind (Romans 14:5), that my family can celebrate Easter as the Resurrection Day of our Lord Jesus; will full confidence, and in faith (Romans 14:23), with all Glory given to God (1 Corinthians 10:31). I pray you will seek the Lord as for His will and direction for your family.

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Mrs. Traci Knoppe lives near St. Louis, Missouri with her husband Mark, six children, one son-in-law and four Shih Tzus. Aside from her life as wife and mother, she owns a web design company that she runs from her home. Traci also co-leads the Titus 2 Christian HomeKeeper ministry through which she mentors women and does public speaking. Traci has written numerous articles on the subject of parenting, homekeeping, marriage and the Christian faith. Traci and Mark also actively serve in their church.

Written by Traci Knoppe ©: Aside from her roles as wife, mother of six, mother-in-law and grandmother, Traci is a Christian parenting instructor, Sunday school teacher, and business owner.

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