Easter

I've never been a big Easter person. I find the rampant dramatizations and ridiculous charades uncomfortable and disheartening. I think there is a tendency to celebrate the religious, but it is limited to morning church services, while the rest of the day/weekend/week is dedicated to unrelated and, quite frankly, downright pagan pageantry. Perhaps this cartoon adequately sums up my feelings:

When you combine the ideas, you feel a little ridiculous, don't you? You're a little ashamed, both because you laughed, and because we're all guilty of that sort of strange mixing of religion and systematic, commercialized consumption. What saddens me most is that I feel like Easter has suffered more than any other religious holiday from the distracting things that our society offers up. Easter is one of the first sacrifices the early, apostate Christian church made in order to win converts from clans and tribes, particularly in Northern Europe. Even the name "Easter" is derived from their non-Christian celebrations. There are, then, the celebrations of fertility seen in eggs and rabbits, and the mandatory consumption of large amounts of food that are, in most instances, not seasonally appropriate. Don't get me wrong—I love the artistry of dyed eggs, the associations of family, and seeing ugly children in beautiful clothing. It makes the world seem fresh, new, and beautiful. But I don't really care about it that much.

I often compare Easter to Christmas when pondering on these types of silly ideas. Christmas has, in great measure, retained a great deal of its origin and importance, at least among Christians. Christ's name still appears in the name of the holiday, and although scheduled in the year to coincide with the winter solstice, rather than the birth of Christ, there are still regular, even commercial reminders of the meaning of the season. Christmas has not suffered Easter's fate because Christmas has no importance to compare with that of Easter. I think the reason Easter's message has been so obscured, so early, so truly, and so thoroughly, is because it is so very important.

When I think of Easter, I never think of Jesus. When I think of Easter, I think of pastels, fake grass, and eggs. I think of egg hunts, large white hats, and children wearing new clothes for the first time. At first I was a little ashamed to realize that I don't associate Easter with the Saviour, but as I continued through my thoughts, I came to a conclusion. Easter has no meaning to me because the Atonement is not an event. The death and resurrection of the Son of God, while central to the eternal progression of humanity, are not events to be celebrated. The birth of Jesus, is, in itself not of any consequence, and therefore, a birthday party seems appropriate, but this spring celebration is different.

The atonement of Jesus Christ, his suffering, death, and resurrection, are the the central elements of humanity's existence. They are eternal in consequence, all-encompassing in scope, and leave no man without hope for this life and the next. They are not, however, events. Graduation is an event. Birth is an event. Death is an event. The atonement is not like those events.

The atonement is a living concept, an eternal, applicable, ever effectual doctrine that moves in and out of our lives as we allow it. A single celebration is of no consequence, because seeing it as an event provides no impact in our lives. Seeing it as an event leaves us in a wanting, weak position, because it gives us no power. The birth of Christ cannot give us power, so party up your Christmas, and enjoy every minute. The Atonement of Christ, however, gives us all power over life, death, sin, and error. It is the crowning glory of mankind's existence, and will, if implemented properly, lead to eternal exaltation, the bonding of families forever, and joy beyond earthly capacity to measure. It cannot lead to those things, though, in a single day, weekend, or even an entire Holy Week.

I've often wondered why, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we don't give much thought to Holy Week, Lent, or Advent. Well, besides that they are simply codified celebrations of the Catholic Church, that is. It's because we believe in a living atonement, an eternal opportunity that, when properly understood, enriches, affects, and blesses our lives every single day. A holiday celebration, no matter how appropriate, how spiritual, or how doctrinally correct, cannot lead people to Christ. Only living Christ's teachings, taking to Him your weaknesses, and allowing His Atonement to change you can bring you to Christ, to rest with Him, and to enjoy the greatest blessings of the Father. Only knowing Him, understanding His will, and following it can change a man or woman from what they are to what they can become. Only seeking for it day after day after day can yield the fruit of the tree of life that brings the rest and peace of God.

Now that is cause for celebration.