Letter: 'Myths’ surrounding Easter mean little to true believers

The vast majority of Christians in Statesville and all over the world feel a sense of excitement as we prepare to celebrate Easter and rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I regret that one of your correspondents wrote a negative, judgmental and mocking letter about Easter observance. To address a few points:

• Jesus was crucified on Friday. The gospels clearly teach that Jesus was crucified on Friday; it was necessary for his body to be taken down from the cross before sundown, when the Sabbath began. The women mentioned in the Easter accounts of the gospels had to wait until the Sabbath had passed (sunset on Saturday) before they could go to anoint the body. The traditional Christian interpretation is Friday, Saturday, Sunday and then, as our creed says, “On the third day he rose again from the dead.”
• When did the resurrection take place? In two gospels the women arrive before sunrise; in two gospels, soon after. The resurrection had already occurred. Whether in the original Greek or the King James Version, it’s hearing the good news that is associated with dawn. God is delighted by the glad praise of worshipers at any time, including sunrise. Sunrise worship may have roots in night-long Easter vigil services, in which, in some traditions, the resurrection is celebrated at midnight.
• Who cares if the name of Easter once was pagan? Yes, I’ve heard the word Easter comes from the name of a Germanic fertility goddess. The romance languages use words derived from the Hebrew word for Passover to refer to Easter. A word with originally non-Christian roots is no more pagan than saying the word “sun” refers to a god driving a chariot across the sky. On the contrary, our God has asserted sovereignty over every day, including those associated with supposed pagan gods, as Sunday originally was.
• Enjoy Easter bunnies and eggs. These need matter little to believers for whom Easter represents God’s triumph over death — take them or leave them. Eggs are deemed have symbolic association with new life. In traditions that observe Lenten fasting before Easter, festively decorated eggs are a welcome part of celebration after forty days of going without. Whether bunnies or eggs, I like chocolate ones best.
• You don’t have to buy new Easter clothes. My mother used to buy me new clothes for spring when I was growing every year, and Easter Sunday was always a good day to wear them for the first time. Any tradition behind this could come from the special garb those being baptized wore, for Easter has long been regarded as an especially appropriate time for new professions of faith, new commitments, and, indeed, the new life. Wear your best if you choose — or come as you are.

I hope all my Christian neighbors in Statesville will experience a blessed Easter and feel glad all over again because of the good news we celebrate. The next step up to us is this: What do we do with the gift of our lives now that we know?

The Rev. Stephen W. Scott
First Presbyterian Church