Should a Christian celebrate Easter?

Acts 12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

Easter like many holidays on the calendar is honored in most homes across our nation however the significant accomplishment of Christ could be missed without careful observation. Our homes ought to be a place of instructing our family of Jesus Resurrection from the grave. Consider these truths:

1. Christ promised to die and resurrect in three days.
The association Jesus pictures is that of a miracle of the Prophet Jonah and the fish.
A. Prophesy of Christ-
Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth
B. Promoted by enemies of Christ- Matthew 26:61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
Matthew 27:40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Matthew 27:63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

2. Christ rose again on the Sunday after His death.
After Christ died on the Cross He resurrected from the grave.
A. The disciples witnessed Christ being a champion over the grave.
Matthew 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
B. The Scriptures claim early morning.
Mark 16:2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. Luke 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

3. Christians honor Christ by remembering His resurrection on Easter Day.
There are churches that promote the celebrations of other rituals but the believer knows that Resurrection Sunday is about Jesus and will promote it as such.
A. The Resurrection was on Sunday and witnessed by the disciples for the disciples to honor Christ. Some believers have chosen not to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection by calling it Eater but instead calling it Resurrection Sunday. I first heard about that title change from a church in California who opposed the association of the Catholic observance of Easter with the fertility rituals which promote painting of eggs and bunnies. The truth is there is nothing wrong with painting chicken eggs or giving gifts of chocolate bunnies and jelly beans as long as you promote Christ is Risen.
John 20:1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

B. The Gospel is understood by the truth of I Corinthians 15.
1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

C. The festivities of Easter can certainly take away from the significant miracle of Jesus Resurrecting from the grave after three days. What should be done? Would it benefit your family to boycott some of the family traditions you have adopted such as visiting family, attending church on Easter Sunrise Service, wearing “dressy” clothes, enjoying the traditional Easter lunch of ham and all those side dishes? You will have to determine how you will lead your family into as the Lord leads you. I would caution you against taking too hard of a stand against the labels of “Easter” because the history of the names of our days, months and other holidays are at best weak as far as being sacred in origin. Perhaps the better position is to honor the Lord with each day and set aside time to please Him with worship. After all, Jesus Christ resurrected from the grave as the Scriptures record nearly 2000 years ago and the believers should be heralding that truth often for God’s glory. I have been asked, is it Christian to celebrate Easter? Yes, was my answer and it is still my answer. My family is going to celebrate Easter, Resurrection Sunday this year by worship of God in church, followed by a traditional meal, a gathering together and honoring the Lord through out the day with some great family traditions. What about you?