What is Easter? – By Chrisny Fernando
Source : Dæhæna – April 2026
What is Easter? The definition of Easter changes depending on who you ask
If you ask a Christian, it is their most important and oldest festival where he resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated which marks the birth of eternal hope.
It is the basis of Christian faith, where the greatest of miracles occurs to prove that Jesus is God and guarantees the resurrection of all Christians. It showcases the love that Jesus has for humanity to die on the cross and experience a new, everlasting life in Heaven with God.
Easter for Christians isn’t just the holy week or the Easter weekend. Lent – the 40-day period of fasting and prayers is symbolic in preparing Christians for Easter. Many are called to abstain from familiar practices and provide for the vulnerable. It teaches and provides self-reflection on what we have on this Earth and who we are as people. With Lent concluding with Easter, it gives hope to people in what we can look forward to, especially at a time when the world looks bleak, and many have struggles.
If you ask someone of a non-Christian faith, they might say Easter is a time they spend with family. A child might talk about the Easter bunny and chocolate. This is because Easter is becoming more of a secular holiday, just like Christmas. It’s not a bad thing, as the
spirit of Easter is still being celebrated.
Most families spend the Easter weekend together with joy and life. Young kids get to make memories with the Easter Bunny and chocolate hunts. This time spent together and the memories created are long-lasting. In a world where people are finding it harder to spend time together, Easter allows that to happen for most
people.
Easter happens every year; the dates might change, but you know there will be a long weekend to celebrate Easter in either March or April. How you choose to celebrate Easter is also up to you – do
you follow the Christian or the secular Easter? Or why not celebrate both?
Chrisny Fernando
Chrisny works in public health and is an avid advocate for improving the
health of women and children.
