How do Christians celebrate Easter and Christmas?

Question

How do the different services reflect the meaning on the festivals?

Answer 1

True Christian do not celebrate either of these because of their pagan origins.

Easter supposedly commemorates the resurrection of Christ, but reputable sources link it with false worship. The Westminster Dictionary of the Bible says that Easter was “originally the spring festival in honor of the Teutonic goddess of light and spring known in Anglo-Saxon as Eastre,” or Eostre. In any case, the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th Edition) states: “There is no indication of the observance of the Easter festival in the New Testament.” Easter was not an early Christian observance and is not celebrated by Jehovah’s people today.

It was not until several hundred years after Jesus lived on the earth that people began to commemorate his birth on December 25. But that was not the date of Jesus’ birth, for it evidently took place in October.
So why was December 25 chosen?
Some who later claimed to be Christian likely “wished the date to coincide with the pagan Roman festival marking the ‘birthday of the unconquered sun.’” (The New Encyclopædia Britannica) In winter, when the sun seemed weakest, pagans held ceremonies to get this source of warmth and light to come back from its distant travels. December 25 was thought to be the day that the sun began its return. In an effort to convert pagans, religious leaders adopted this festival and tried to make it seem “Christian


God’s View of Christmas & Easter

In the first two of the Ten Commandments given through Moses, God said: “I am Jehovah your God . . . You must never have any other gods against my face . . . because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion.” (Deuteronomy 5:6-9) Even the suggestion of false worship would not be tolerated, as was seen time and again in God’s dealings with the nation of Israel.

For example, while Moses was yet on Mount Sinai where he received those commandments on two stone tablets, the Israelites began to mix symbols of Egyptian religion with their worship of Jehovah. After collecting gold earrings from the people, a molten statue of a calf was made. Then came the proclamation: “This is your God, O Israel, who led you up out of the land of Egypt.” The Bible account tells us: “Finally Aaron [Moses’ brother] called out and said: ‘There is a festival to Jehovah tomorrow.’ So on the next day they were early in rising, and they began offering up burnt offerings and presenting communion sacrifices. After that the people sat down to eat and drink. Then they got up to have a good time.”—Exodus 32:1-6.

As with those who celebrate the modern-day Easter festival, the Israelites were professing to worship the true God. Remember, it was called “a festival to Jehovah.” They intended to associate Jehovah with the image. Yet, they were frolicking at a festival that mimicked an Egyptian deity, perhaps Apis, who was represented as a young bull.
Was God pleased?
Not at all.
He nearly brought the nation to ruin on account of it!—Exodus 32:7-10.

http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2000/12/15/article_01.htm

Answer 2

On Christmas the liturgies are pretty straight foward, the readings and prayers, however reflect the spirit of the day (Christmas.) On Easter we have three days of special liturgies (The Easter Triduum.) The Easter Truduum begins on the evening of Holy Thursday with the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, which ends with a solemn procession with the Blessed Sacrament to a place of repose and adoration where the faithful will adore the Blessed Sacrament. On Good Friday we celebrate a special afternoon liturgy (the liturgy of the presanctified gifts.) During this liturgy we read the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, which tells of the Lord's last hours, we venerate the cross, and receive communion which was consecrated at Mass the night before. Finally, on Satuday we have the "Mother of all feasts," as St. Augustine put it, the Easter Vigil. The Easter Vigil must take place after the sunsets (thus is the nature of vigils.) It begins with a service of light, in which the Easter Fire is light and blessed, the Paschal Candle is then carved and light from the Easter Fire. The Candle and the ministers then process through the dark church singing, "Christ Our Light" to which the people respond "Thanks be to God." This is done three times, each time more lights come on. After the Paschal Candle is put in place and is incensed the deacon or another cantor sings the Exultet. Then we have the liturgy of the word, in which there can be anywhere from seven to three readings. After the Gospel we celebrate Baptism and or Confirmation for any people entering the Church. After this the Mass continues as usual.
P.S. This is the Roman Catholic Church

Answer 3

There is often a service on the Thursday before Easter.
This was when Jesus had the Last Supper with his friends. The Friday before Easter is known as Good Friday. In some towns people remember that Jesus was crucified by acting a Passion Play, or by carrying a large wooden cross in a parade. On Easter Sunday there may be a Sunrise Service. People from lots of Christian churches will meet together and watch the sun rise.
They remember that Mary went early to the tomb. The service may be held on a hill, where the sunrise can be seen clearly. Most Christians will go to church on Easter Sunday. This is a happy time because Jesus is alive!

Answer 4

Easter is meant to be a time for remembering Christ's Crucifixion in which usually most churches holds a special communion ceremony.
Christmas is nothing to do with Jesus' teachings but more from Roman tradition of celebrating birthdays. Although most churches hold thanksgiving services for God giving the world His Son. Sometimes the kids put on shows and bring pressies to church.

Im a Christian though I believe, Jesus taught his disciples to share bread and wine in a simple meal as symbols of His Body that later was to sacrificed, a symbol of brotherhood and taking part in Jesus life. I believe they were ordinary men around an extraordinary man and a simple way of life.
I feel that over the years the grandiose prententiousness of powerful men has distorted this simple way and teachings of Jesus, to overly religious ceremonies and festivals that seem to be less and less about what was orignally intended. It really should be that a Christian celebrates Jesus' Life and Crucifixion everyday.

Answer 5

We celebrate Christmas by exchanging gifts. I read the Christmas story (verses out of the Bible). At Church we sing traditional Christmas hymns. Usually we have a Christmas Eve candlelight service and communion.

At Easter, we sing traditional Easter hymns, and have communion. I believe this is the most important time, as Jesus took victory over the grave. We usually have a drama of the last supper.

Answer 6

It's like this:

Christ was born on a cold day, so CHRISTIANS invented Christmas Day. Non-believers say it was a Pagan Holiday, but that was from December 17- December 21.
We celebrate by giving gifts as the wise men did.
Church programs consist of singing Christmas hymns AND anthems, giving glory to God and Jesus, the Christ child.

Good Friday was when Jesus died on the cross for all the sins of the world, arose on the third day, which is Easter, and lives at the right hand of God, our Father. And we give honor and glory to God and Jesus, His son---singing hymns of praise and honor and glory and adulation and love for all Goes did before we were born, what He does for us NOW, through Jesus, His son, and what He has planned for us, in the future--for those who love and accept His son, Jesus, into their life.

Answer 7

I do not consider it to be so Christian, either one of them.

So I go through a little bit of gift giving, because it's really for those that have the tradition, Christian or not. But I praise God on that day the same as any other day. My personal relationship with God is not dependent upon pagan based practices.

Easter has never had the impact on my family the way Christmas has.

Answer 8

I don't celebrate Christmas. (Christ's mass)
Easter is more than an easter bunny. I don't do the typical Easter either.
I celebrate Christ all year long.

Answer 9

In my house we don't exchange gifts at Easter, but we do celebrate Easter as it is important to us because that is when Jesus conquered death and gave us salvation.

Answer 10

Church and then Golden Corral buffet with Grandma!