Easter is a time of great joy for believers. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is not only an historical event of enormous theological significance. It is the very center of the unique power of the Christian faith. Paul made that clear when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 15 that if Christ has not been raised from the dead, then our faith is in vain and we are to be pitied above all people for placing our hope in a myth. But as Paul went on to say, Christ has indeed been raised the dead. He is the Lamb who was slain but is now alive, and who is celebrated in heaven, as John recorded in Revelation. For Christians, Easter is indeed a time for great joy.
Unlike them, non Christians have tried to impose a counterfeit joy on this holiday. Chocolate Easter bunnies, Easter baskets filled with candy, Easter egg hunts, and new Easter dresses make a sorry substitute for the “real” Easter. The joy that comes from such replacements is very brief and unsatisfying. While we wouldn’t want to call such celebrations “evil” (they can be a time of valuable family joy), there is a sense in which Satan is behind such things as his way of trying to promote them in place the true Easter event.