Easter Can Be Meaningful Without Jesus

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Many people suggest embracing the Jesus narrative for cultural relevance, but what if we didn’t? A friend of mine once had her kid confuse the resurrection with a Star Wars concept, saying, “So Jesus is like Obi-Wan Kenobi?” That left her parents shocked, but honestly, I thought it was a clever comparison. In our family, we celebrate Easter without the religious context. When I shared this anecdote with my partner, he jokingly dared me to ask our youngest about Jesus. “No way,” I replied. “His godparents might sense a disturbance in the Force and freak out.”

It’s true; if I asked my younger kids who Jesus is, they might look puzzled and mumble something about Christmas and the Bible. We stepped away from organized religion a few years back, and while I’ve explored a more spiritual path, it’s light on dogma. I’ve shared some Old Testament tales with them as part of our broader study of various myths, so they get the basics of Abrahamic traditions. But when it comes to major holidays, we don’t connect with Christianity. Our Easter is about much more.

What Easter Represents

Easter has roots that predate Christianity, as St. Augustine described the early Church’s practice of adopting elements from other faiths. The Venerable Bede noted Eostre, the Saxon goddess of spring, which eventually merged with themes of resurrection and renewal—think bunnies and baby chicks. For us, Easter celebrates the arrival of spring. In our Southern home, it’s quite apparent; trees are budding, dogwoods are blooming, and azaleas are vibrant. We give thanks for the season’s return, and yes, we indulge in chocolate bunnies!

Keeping Traditions Alive Without Jesus

Easter can still be festive, even without a religious figure. We dress up in our finest attire, despite the kids’ protests, and we conduct egg hunts in our yard. I don a white dress and a large hat while my husband rocks a pastel polo. Looking sharp is part of the fun, and we don’t need a divine figure to justify it.

Baskets are another essential part of our celebration. Growing up, we had to bring ours to the church for blessings, but ours can stay wonderfully secular! We fill them with spring-themed candy like Robin’s Eggs and, of course, tons of Peeps. And then there’s the tradition of the Easter ham. While I’m a vegetarian and skip it, there’s no reason we can’t enjoy a variety of dishes that don’t require a religious connotation to be delicious.

Celebrating Togetherness

Above all, Easter signifies the end of winter and the promise of spring. This year feels particularly significant as we emerge from the pandemic’s gloom. My partner and I recently received our second Moderna vaccine, and when we gather around the table this Easter, we’ll express gratitude—not to Jesus, but to Dolly Parton, who has made a remarkable impact in the world and serves as an inspiring figure for us.

We’ve navigated a tough winter filled with fear and uncertainty, but now, as nature awakens, we celebrate our resilience together. Easter without Jesus will be anything but empty; it will embody our spring of hope after the dark winter. We’ll commemorate our sacrifices and embrace the renewal of life around us.

This article was originally published on April 2, 2021.

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In summary, Easter can be a joyful occasion without religious ties. It can honor the beauty of spring, celebrate family togetherness, and highlight our resilience as we move forward.