Yesterday was Palm Sunday, so we are now in the Middle of Holy Week. Soon it will be Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday, and then Easter (or Resurrection) Sunday.

Easter is the other holiday (along with Christmas) that exists as two holidays in one— a Religious Holiday for Christians, and a Secular Holiday for non-Christians. Easter as a secular holiday has never really caught on as it has with Christmas. That is generally a good thing, I think. Christmas as a secular holiday has gotten rather out of control.

That being said, it is a great blessing that we have a couple of days that Christians can celebrate along with non-Christians. Most days this doesn’t happen. Outside of Christmas and Easter, there are “saint days” like St. Valentine’s or St. Patrick’s (or a myriad of saint days as fiestas in the Philippines) where Christians and non-Christians can celebrate. There is also Mardi Gras, I suppose. But in these, for me at least, the religious aspect has become subsumed by the secular. I feel that Christmas and Easter still hold their own… and that is a good thing— they in no way become less just because some others focus on something else more.

This year, Holy Week overlaps with Ramadan so many are recognizing this week as holy in a different way. My wife and I were talking to a JW who talked about the commemorating of the Resurrection of Jesus— so even members of a group that like to undermine most celebrations as pagan do in some way see this time as special. And there are many who are more secular who may celebrate Easter as a fun time of chocolate and Easter egg hunts with their children. I hope all Christians can celebrate the Resurrection of Christ while not ignoring those who find other reasons to celebrate.

A post I feel pretty good about from a few years ago is “Easter. It’s Okay… Really.” You can see it by CLICKING HERE.