Tearing Down The Pagans & Putting Christ In Their Place

Tearing Down The Pagans & Putting Christ In Their Place

“It’s the Easter bunny. It’s another lie and I don’t understand why we had to invent this character.” -Todd Rundgren

As a young boy, I can distinctly remember Christmas and Easter. Christmas was about a guy with a long white beard named Santa Claus and as long as we were good, he would give us what we wanted of him, and Easter was about a bunny and eggs.

I would go to church on these holidays, Christmas and Easter (Thanksgiving as well – pretty much the only time I can remember going), and really never understood with clarity why we were in Church speaking of Jesus on these particular holidays. After services, we would leave and go home and open presents on Christmas, and on Easter, we would try to find a basket with a bunny and eggs in it. I never made the correlation. I was simply confused.

I also knew that there would be no Easter if there were no Christmas, so I needed to understand the meaning of what was behind both of them.

Christmas is the celebration of God the Father giving His only begotten Son to the world to redeem men through His sacrifice and that applies to those that believe upon Him (Mark 16:16; Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:26-35; John 3:15).  It has nothing to do with Santa Claus.

Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb on the third day, after His crucifixion and burial. It has nothing to do with bunnies and eggs. By the way, bunnies don’t lay eggs. 🙂

Easter is the fulfilled prophecy of the Messiah, who would be persecuted and die on the cross for mankind’s sins and rise on the third day (I Corinthians 15:3-4; Isaiah 53).

Remembering the resurrection of Jesus is a way of renewing the daily hope that we have victory over sin (1 Peter 1:3-6; Romans 5:20; 1 John 5:4) as we keep our eyes upon Him who is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

So why is Santa Claus or an Easter Bunny put in the place of Christ and in the face of millions only to confuse the message? For just that reason, to confuse you and divert your attention from the real meaning of what God has done through His Son on your behalf! They are frivolous vanities introduced only to entertain you out of a salvation that was blood bought on your behalf (Philippians 2:12; 1 John 2:15-17).

God proved His love on the cross in a demonstration (1 John 4:10). Christ hung on that Cross (John 3:16) and bled for you (Revelation 1:5). Can you see Him? Can you hear Him? It was love demonstrated (which speaks loud and clear through action) to a sinful world with the offer of redemption at His expense. Remember, it is about Christ, and Christ alone. Amen!