EASTER: Creating a Christ-centered Celebration

There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection. ~ President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Dec. 2000.

It may seem strange to consider at first, but after pausing to ponder we come to realize that Christmas would be meaningless without Easter. As important as the divine and miraculous birth of Jesus Christ was (and still is), it would be in vain without His redemptive, atoning sacrifice that shattered the chains of death with a triumphant resurrection (To study more about the Resurrection, CLICK HERE). Perhaps that is why our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson has said:

“No words in Christendom mean more to me than those spoken by the angel to the weeping Mary Magdalene and the other Mary when, on the first day of the week, they approached the tomb to care for the body of their Lord. Spoke the angel: ‘Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.’ ” (“He Is Risen!” Apr. 2010 General Conference)

He is not here: For he is RISEN

Fortunately, Easter has not become nearly as commercialized as Christmas. Yet it still seems that we are distracted just enough by the little Easter Bunny and his baskets of goodies that we go running off in the wrong direction–like Alice chasing the White Rabbit into Wonderland. I like what the Church has said on this matter. To me, it expresses the proper balance and perspective we need to maintain.

Some LDS families include Easter bunnies and eggs in their family festivities for the delight of children. Such traditions are not officially discouraged, though they have no religious significance to Latter-day Saints. The focus of the holiday is religious. For Latter-day Saints, Easter is a celebration of the promise of eternal life through Christ. They share the conviction of Job: “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God” (Job 19:25-26). (https://www.lds.org/topics/easter)

The purpose of this post is to provide you with some resources that can help you make sure that the Bunny does not eclipse the Savior this Easter. These resources are all provided by the Church free of charge, and with the hope that we will use them and share them with others.

The most recent news from the Church came today, with and invitation to view the Messiah concert online throughout the Easter weekend. CLICK on the picture below for more information on viewing this inspiring concert.

View Messiah Concert Online throughout ‪‎Easter‬ Weekend! The Messiah concert will be streamed live on mormontabernaclechoir.org/messiah beginning at 7:30 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time on Friday, April 18, and will be available to play through Monday at 11:59 p.m.

Easter Music

Music is a great way to worship and remember. Hymns, children’s songs and musical performances all contribute to the wonderful spirit of Easter. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir as created a marvelous playlist of Easter music on YouTube that you can enjoy and share online. I like to let it play in the background as I work in the office.

Easter Teaching Resources

and Lesson Ideas

The Church has also produced correlated material that can be used for children, youth, and adults containing stories, activities, media, and articles to enrich your life and lessons.

Prophetic Teachings of Easter and Resurrection

For those who want to experience an in-depth study of Easter and the Resurrection, the Church has created a colossal list of resources that can be studied at the following link: RESURRECTION

#Because Of Him

Nope. The # sign is not a typo. This week the Church released a couple new Easter videos and began a social-network Christ-centered Easter initiative called, #BecauseOfHim (To learn more about this initiative and get related material, CLICK HERE). You may want to visit your favorite social networking sites and search for #BecauseOfHim to see what you find. Way more inspiring than an egg hunt!

Easter E-cards

Another way to help your family and friends focus on the Savior is to use the E-cards that the Church has produced for sharing on your social-networks and through email. These E-cards are a great resource and are easy to share! Try it now!!!

Easter Memes & Images

There are also many Easter memes that the Church has created that can be shared easily online. People are very responsive to gospel-centered memes and messages during the holidays (Holy days). This is a great opportunity to share in the sharing during the Holy Week!

BibleVideos.lds.org

As you are probably already well aware, the Church has also created a vast library of BibleVideos that are very powerful. A number of these videos are particularly relevant during the Easter season. Here is a list that you may want to view and share this week:

• The Lord’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
• The Last Supper
• The Intercessory Prayer
• Christ in Gethsemane
• Peter’s denial
• The Savior’s trial before Pilate
• The scourging and Crucifixion
• The laying of the Lord’s body in the tomb
• The Savior’s Resurrection

Mormon Channel YouTube Easter Playlist

The Church has created several channels for you to enjoy on YouTube. The Mormon Channel features an Easter Videos playlist that currently has 15 Easter-themed videos. As mentioned previously, the Church continues to release new media so I expect that this playlist will just keep growing. My advice is to subscribe to The Mormon Channel on YouTube so that you can enjoy all the updated content. Below you will find the Easter Videos playlist along with a few of my favorite Easter videos.

None Were with Him

One of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so.

His Sacred Name – An Easter Declaration

This Easter, remember the sacred name, life,

and sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Because of Him

Jesus Christ is our Savior. Because of Him, we can change for the better and live again with God. This Easter we celebrate His life and Resurrection and invite all to share His miraculous story. http://www.mormon.org/becauseofhim

Sunday Will Come

The Resurrection and the Atonement of Christ are the pinnacle events in the history of the world. The darkness and sadness of Christ’s crucifixion did not endure. Christ was resurrected, enabling the resurrection of all mankind. In our lives we will have our dark days, but because of Jesus Christ we can have hope in overcoming our trials and ultimately returning to live with our Heavenly Father.

He Lives: Testimonies of Jesus Christ

See and hear modern-day Apostles testify that Jesus Christ

is the Savior and that He lives today.

My Kingdom Is Not of This World

Jesus is persecuted, mocked and crucified. His followers mourn, and find the tomb empty on the third day. The Son of God breaks the bands of death and ascends to His Father in Heaven.

He is Risen: John the Beloved’s Witness of the Resurrection

The Apostle John provides his eyewitness account of the last events in the Savior’s life and his Resurrection.

To This End I Was Born

Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and King of the Jews, was born to offer Himself as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of mankind.

He is Risen

Ponder what the Savior means to all humanity—and to you personally.

And then share the good news.

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