At my house, they’re called Creasters or C and E Christians. Yes, those “Christmas and Easter Christians” will be out in full force come this Sunday, but they may not be all wrong. It is my opinion that these two celebrations are the most important on the Christian calendar, yet Christmas, which has become the epitome of all holidays, completely loses its meaning without the saving grace found in Easter.

            Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. It has become the highlight of most children’s year, not because they understand the meaning, though, but because American culture glorifies the secularization of the holiday.

            Easter, though still celebrated materialistically, does not receive even a portion of the attention that Christmas does. This holiday is meant to mark Jesus’ resurrection from the grave, his defeat over death. Certainly, as the cornerstone of Christianity, the meaning of Easter sets this holy day apart from all others. However, American culture highly demeans its importance as a holiday. 

                An example lies here in the “conservative” town of New Wilmington. Westminster College, though a respectable institution and a gem in our community, has interestingly portioned their students’ holiday breaks. Christmas break consists of approximately five weeks to celebrate Jesus’ birth.  How many class days do they have to rejoice in his resurrection? One.  It hardly seems fit for this Presbyterian-affiliated college.

                Even the true focus of Easter has been contorted. Too often is Easter, and Christianity for that matter, associated with the symbol of the cross. It is not the cross that should be glorified; the cross is the symbol of Jesus’ suffering. An analogy used recently by my pastor, wearing crosses around your neck in Jesus’ time is the equivalent of wearing an electric chair necklace today. In my opinion, too much of Easter’s focus has become the fact that he suffered. Though it is an important part of the story, the essential part is that we are saved because he rose out of his suffering.