It’s true… I don’t celebrate Easter.
And, yep – I still love and serve my Creator…
Oh… And I still believe in the death, burial and resurrection of the Messiah.
It has nothing to do with an aversion to celebrations, worship, food, fellowship…
or even chocolate…
but it has everything to do with Who I worship and what He desires.
Here are some of the reasons why I no longer celebrate Easter.
– Reason #1: The origins of Easter
Often, talking about the origins of anything can be a very touchy subject …
but it is one that should not be so easily avoided, ignored, rationalized or even spiritualized…
particularly, when it pertains to worshiping and having a relationship with The One True God.
Once upon a time, Easter was adamantly NOT observed by Believers.
In fact, Easter was observed looooong before Messiah even came to Earth…
and it wasn’t by Believers.
I won’t go into detail here as, if one puts forth even a little effort and time, one can discover (and, likely, be blown away, by the historical facts regarding) where this holiday originated from, what it represents, what its symbols and traditions represent and why Believers even started observing it as the celebration of the ‘Risen Savior’.
(keywords: origins of Easter, Ishtar, Eostre, Tammuz, Constantine, the Council of Nicea [325 A.D.])
Reason #2: Easter is NOT actually about the death, burial and resurrection of the Messiah
– It just isn’t… BUT… There IS a day/season that acknowledges and honors those events! 🙂
They are called Passover, The Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Firstfruits offering.
These are Events/Observances set apart by the Creator Himself to recognize these foreshadows/occurrences. Messiah was/is our Passover, not our Easter.
“For also Messiah our Passover was offered for us.” – 1 Corinthians 5:7b
(See also: John 1:29; 19:14; I Corinthians 15:20, 23; 1 Peter 1:19; Revelation 5:6, 12, etc…)
Reason #3: The Apostles, 1st Century Church, and Messiah did NOT observe Easter
It’s true… they didn’t… BUT they DID keep and teach others to keep the Biblical Feast Days which where and are a true representation and foreshadow of things that happened and that were and are to come, and were instructed by the Father.
“So then let us observe the festival, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of evil and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” – 1 Corinthians 5:8
(See also: Acts 2:1; 18:21; 20:6, 16; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23; Luke 2:41; Mark 16:6, 12; etc…)
Reason #4: Because of What we are Instructed TO do…
We have been lovingly instructed by the Creator Himself to observe the Appointed Times of the Scriptures that He put forth– which are filled with rich, beautiful meaning and foreshadows… and they are celebrations and observances that set His people apart from the rest of the world… that we may be a Light to the nations.
These remembrances and rehearsals were instituted and blessed by YHVH (the LORD) Himself and are for ALL of Israel (Israel = His set-apart people that Believe and are in Covenant with Him. All 12 tribes, including the scattered).
“Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, and say to them, ‘The appointed times of YHVH, which you are to proclaim as set-apart gatherings, My appointed times, are these:” – Leviticus 23:2
(See also: Lev. 23; Ex. 12:14,17,24; 13:6; Deut. 16; etc…)
Our Father has His own very specific set-apart days (His Feasts/Appointed Times) which are WAY more awesome to celebrate/observe, as they are filled with such deep meaning meaning and insight into the heart of our God.
Reason #5: Because of What we are Instructed NOT to do…
We have, actually, been instructed to NOT learn the ways of other nations (people groups/religions) and NOT to worship our God as they worship theirs.
“When you come into the land which YHVH your Elohim is giving you, do not learn to do according to the abominations of those gentiles (nations; people). ” – Deuteronomy 18:9
(See also: Leviticus 18:3-5; 20:22-23; Jeremiah 10:2; I kings 11:33; Deuteronomy 5:32; 11:16; 28:14)
Reason #6: ‘What it means to me’ doesn’t matter
“That’s not what it means to me”. – I hear that said often.
In fact, I used to say it often, too.
But the simple truth of the matter is … if I actually love my Creator and have a heart and resolve to serve and honor Him, then “That’s not what it means to me” DOES NOT MATTER. (not yelling, just emphasizing)
The only thing that matter is: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HIM?
What an awesome question!
May goal is to continually seek Truth… to continually check my belief system, and making sure it lines up with the instructions He has left for me that I find in the Written Word… so that I may worship Him in spirit AND in Truth… not one or the other… but both.
I desire to seek to really understand WHY we do the things we do. And WHY we believe what we believe. I do not want to just blindly worship a certain way because we have inherited those ways… because that’s just what we do… or because that’s what Dr., Mr. Brother, Sister, so-and-so says we’re supposed to do.
It doesn’t matter how sincere we are. We can be sincerely wrong.
I want my sincerity to line up with truth and obedience.
How about you?
It does not matter what it means to us.
It only matters what it means to HIM.
He doesn’t want us to worship Him OUR way.
He wants to be worshiped HIS way…
After creating us and all of the many things He has done and Who He is, I think that is a very reasonable service.
“When YHVH (the LORD) your Elohim does cut off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, guard yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire about their mighty ones, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their mighty ones? And let me do so too.’ Do not do so to YHVH (the LORD) your Elohim, for every abomination which YHVH hates they have done to their mighty ones, for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their mighty ones.” – Deuteronomy 12:29-31
“And in vain do they worship Me, teaching as teachings the commands of men. Forsaking the command of Elohim (God), you hold fast the tradition of men.” – Mark 7:7-8
What a joy it would be if we united together to worship our Creator the way HE desires (and instructs) to be worshiped!
Actually… That Day WILL happen…
when King Moschiach comes and establishes The Kingdom. HalleluYah!
BUT… Why wait for that Day to learn? Why wait to worship Him and observe what pleases (and reveals SO much of) Him? We can learn now! And be blessed!
May we always seek Truth. And may we be courageous and walk in It.
Loving Him… Enough to obey. Enough to honor. Enough to identify.
Enough to sacrifice my own way, my own everything.
It is not grievous. It is a delight!
~ Christina
“And if it seems evil in your eyes to serve YHVH (The LORD), choose for yourselves this day whom you are going to serve, whether the mighty ones which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the mighty ones of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But I and my house, we serve YHVH (The LORD).” – Joshua 24:15
P.S. Unkind comments will NOT be approved. 🙂
My blog, my call. Thank you.
Christina Chronicles 
Thank you, Christina, for a truthful, respectful and applicable handling of a…THE…most powerful matter of our newfound life in Yashua. I look forward, with your permission, to including it in my future presentations of the Gospel – Pastor Rick Conrad
Thank you, Rick! All praise to YHVH!
Yes, please use and share. May Abba use it, and us, to draw His people out of the nations and back to Him!
Blessings!
Thank you for posting this. I am in the process of learning that the things I’ve learned in Christianity are not all correct. I want to do what Yashua wants and not just what the world does and thinks is right. When you look at Easter, it really is so clear. It is now a matter of learning about what Yashua desires and doing away with a lot of what I’ve grown up learning. Thank You.
Hi Judy 🙂 It is difficult to change our paradigms when we have thought or believed something for so long. It is a blessing that His Word can cleanse and renew our minds! And our Creator is all about restoring His people to Him!
Blessings as you continue to seek Him! May He guide your paths!
Thank you SO MUCH! I am sharing what you have written with my friends on facebook and a link to other friends. Your words and references say it all!
Thank you, Marsha! Praise to YHVH! May He use it and may His people be restored to Him! Blessings!
Reblogged this on Colorado Chaim and commented:
This is a fabulous outline of why Believers like me DO NOT celebrate easter as the remembrance of the Pesach Lamb
Thank you for sharing! May He use it for His purpose and glory!
Bevakasha (you’re welcome)! It is so nice to see another Torah pursuant blogger on word press 🙂
I agree with all you have written! Blessing in Christ Jesus…the One who died and rose again!
Blessings, Julia!
May each of us continue to seek His Truth.
Sometimes you need to go into more detail on Ishtar and the sacrifices of the babies of the Vestal Virgins to open peoples eyes!!! Thank you for your blog, it was beautiful. May the Lord bless you and keep you!!
Thank you, Liz, for your kinds words. I do agree that the origins need to be known but my desire is to allow the Ruach (Spirit) to work. Those that have a heart for Truth will seek it out. He is calling His people out. HalleluYah! Blessings to you!
It seems most of your post comes from a Jewish perspective? Aka Jews who believe in Jesus? The use of Ruach (which I had to Google) seems a case in point. Most have never heard this name.
Point 3, states Messiah never celebrated Easter. How could he? He is the focus of Easter and left earth shortly thereafter. Not seeking to be argumentative, just trying to understand.
Hi Tim,
I understand what you’re saying. Perhaps the perspective appears ‘Jewish’ because I reference the Biblical Feast Days – and for many, many years, Jews have been the majority group that has kept the Feast Days. However, Scriptures point out that the Feast Days are for ALL of Israel (which is composed of 12 tribes, not only Judah). Israel are those that believe in Him and have entered into covenant with Him. The Father, also, calls the Feast Days “His”. They are His (not only one ‘religious’ groups’). Thus, the perspective is not, in fact, “Jewish” … but it is Scripturalish. 🙂
Yes, Messiah did not celebrate easter. Hopefully, the schematics of #3 would not be the sole reason that someone would disregard the other key points. 😉 I chose to group Messiah with the other groups of Reason #3 to help solidify the point that these people, including Messiah, observed the Feast Days of the Scriptures and they taught others to keep the Feast Days of the Scriptures (of the Father).
Regarding Messiah being the “focus of easter”… perhaps christians have strove to make Him the focus, but the historical facts are that He is not the original focus and is not, thus, the “True” meaning of the day. However, He IS the focus of the Biblical Feast Days. They truly are a beautiful foreshadow and picture. 🙂
I hope I have answered your questions sufficiently.
May the Father continue to teach and guide His people!
Then I am assuming you don’t celebrate Christmas either? Because that is not mentioned in the Bible as well and that is stemmed in pagan rituals. http://www.livescience.com/25779-christmas-traditions-history-paganism.html
Hi Lydia 🙂 That is correct. I do not celebrate christmas either.
I posted about that, as well. It can be found here:
Thank Yah some one gets it! LOL no more waiting in lines for the sales or after the holidays to get the cheap stuff! What made me tear up is I spoke about holidays one Sabbath eve and my best friends boys got and was asking old uncle Tim for more. They don’t have to be ashamed because they don’t celebrate holidays. Thanks Christina, keep up the good work.
Hi Tim! What an encouraging word about your friend’s boys! It is a blessing to see His resTORAHation process! May He continue to use us to plant seeds. And may we be blessed, if He wills, to see some of that fruit!
Blessings!
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I love this journey we are each on, I truly believe HE is sending forth HIS spirit to awaken HIS children to HIS TRUTH, and not the TRUTH the world says is. The journey to the origins of Christmas began not by chance.. but I believe now a divine intervention… That was now 8 years ago… it has been a slow digest but very worth it… It is the same with “easter” Last year was my first in celebrating Passover and this year no different than last is a learning and slow digestion of what the FATHER is showing me in HIS WORD.. And its true,, let the SPIRIT convict you and guide you… Believe me it makes me hotter than a pepper sprout at the lies and stories we have been told from the pulpits… Satans tactic to keep the people in darkness.. But where he tries to destroy WHVH comes and reveals with light. Your post hits so personal here.. and let me tell you the few friends that gave me the… “thats not what it means to me” comment last year.. are now on their own journey to understanding the difference of Passover vs Easter.. and what is True. I believe in part because I am still holding to my conviction on this issue and I still refused to celebrate easter this year, and was not ashamed at saying which was TRUTH. Great Post fellow Sister, Keep them coming…
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I was getting ready to post a piece on my timeline and saw yours. Read it and felt I didn’t need too, so posted yours. Have taught on this and other Jewishness of the faith for years. It is amazing to me how believers deny facts. Rush Ha Kodesh will guide them in all truth.
Hi Jim! So glad the Father led you here! Thank you for sharing! And, yes, may the Ruach haKodesh continue to work and may Father continue His restoration! 🙂
We believe the same. Bless you for this excellent article. May I have permission to print and read this at our Seder tomorrow evening? I will give reference to you having written it. Lynda from hearttoheart@ns.sympatico.ca
Hello Lynda 🙂 Thank you for your kind words. Yes, please feel free to print and share. May Father use it to bless many and may many continue to be restored! May your Passover be blessed!
Thank you for this most thoughtful and well written article on such a very sensitive issue. I posted it on FaceBook and even my Christian friends like it A LOT!!!
Wonderful, Rande! Thank you for sharing! Blessings!
Dear Christina,
You are so correct about the Biblical feasts and festivals! It is very refreshing read other believers agreeing with Jesus our Messiah and what He taught His disciples. I would ask that you consider not using “The Name” in any form and especially not the actual Hebrew characters. This is G-d’s sacred true name and not to be uttered or used casually. Once written it is never to be destroyed or in this case “deleted.” It should only be written in Holy texts such as a Torah scroll or a Tanach (Jewish Bible.) I do appreciate that you did not try to use the consonants from the name with the vowel points that often appear with the Hebrew characters. The vowel points are from the word Adonai (LORD) and are placed there only to remind readers not to try to pronounce the sacred name. You could use the term Hashem (which means “The Name” instead.) If you are interested in this information or more information along these lines you can find many materials at
ffoz.org (First Fruits of Zion)The booklet called “Hallowed Be Your Name” is $10.oo plus shipping and handling, but they will provide materials free if you are unable to afford the cost of materials. This book gave me a much deeper understanding of G-d and His instruction about the reverent use of His sacred name.
Thank you and may the Lord Bless and Keep you and yours,
Sincerely,
Brenda Trobaugh
Thank you, Brenda, for your comments. I agree, it is refreshing to read of other Believers keeping the Appointed Time and His Instructions. 🙂 Thank you for the information you shared about His Name. I appreciate your perspective. In my personal study, however, the Ruach has not led me to that perspective. There is power in His Name. We are to bless His Name, praise His Name… so many Scripture verses refer to His Name.. thus, as His child, I study and do my best to bring honor to His Name – whether by what comes out of my mouth or what comes out of my life. Beyond the pronunciation, may we continue to learn His heart and bring glory, honor, and praise to His Name. Shalom!
Shalom and may the LORD draw you ever nearer to Him.
What an awesome testimony of what so many of us have come to understand. May YHVH continue to bless and keep you as you continue to share his message. Sharing this message at such a time gives the opportunity to many who have not yet experienced their own “unveiling”. It is always good for each of us to take a step back from the “fossilized customs” and know that there is so much more waiting for from our Elohim and Messiah if we will only take that step of faith to continue to seek “his will” instead of our own.
Amein, Robin! 🙂 Thank you!
Regarding the use of the All Eternal Ones Name, I must agree with you Christina in the Power of the Name. The scriptures do not show me that we cannot use his name, but we should only use it to glorify him because it is so sacred.
In my own personal journey of having the veil lifted, I have come to understand that our Creator’s name and his Son’s name had been purposely hidden away from the Lost Tribes of Israel for many generations, but once you have had the truth of the names revealed to you, it brings him honor to use it, rather than the titiles and references we all grew up with.
It is all part of the restoration of the House of Israel. I feel honored and blessed to live in a time when I was allowed to have the veil lifted and to know my Creator and Messiah in a way that would not otherwise have been possible.
It is my sincere hope that this topic or others, that cause differences in opinion would not cause conflict among believers, as that only pleases our enemy, and that takes the focus off of the one we all want to honor and obey.
Continued blessings to all who will be celebrating Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the First Fruits Offering.
Shalom
In the 13 years we have ministered, I have seen the most wonderful mysteries revealed. And- also cause so much harm too. Not because of the revealed Truth but from hearts that still contain some poison. Whether it is the New moon sighting or His name revealed to how we keep Sabbath…..our hearts need to be covered with respect, honor and lots of love. Not everyone is where we stand in knowledge and we are not in the place of all truth yet. I love what Don Finto (author and pastor) says “I remember that just yesterday I was there.”
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Straight, short and to the point. That’s the way things should be explained.
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Well done! You eloquently and compassionately iterated WHY we are on this journey- to SEEK HIM with all our heart, soul and mind, and be willing to lay down all that displeases Him. Thank you! I’ve shared this as well- may the eyes of many more of the beloved of YHWH be opened. #PassoversComing HalleluYAH!
Reblogged this on JustMy2Cents.
Amen – love this …I too have learned these ways, we need to trust and honor “HIS” ways and everything for us will fall into place…..thank you for your posts, now that my eyes are open to the truth, there is no other way…