Easter Is Every Day, Even for Pagans

I have had a very respectful debate with some brothers and sisters for some time, on the question of Christian festivals and their "origins" in pagan worship/festivals.

Basically, good arguments against my position can be found all over. Most recently, the Factotum's Rostrum has an excellent one.

I simply, and respectfully, disagree.

To quote the author: "Eggs and bunnies have nothing to do with the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Our Lord Jesus Christ created eggs and bunnies. He was at the formation of the very first egg, which happens to contain a simple picture of the Trinity in its physical qualities. When I see a rabbit fly from its warren through the woods, I think first of God who made the creature, then of how I should take flight from sin.

Could there be a new earth (and new eggs and new rabbits) without the resurrection? No.

I realize that Easter is a word that has etymological origins in pagan practices. But ask anyone (other than a candy-starved child) what Easter means, and even a pagan will fumble around about it having to do something with Jesus' resurrection. (Don't take my word for it: a non-Christian author such as Neil Gaiman illustrated this tendency in spectacular fashion in a brief scene in his 2001 novel American Gods.)

The term "Easter" has been redeemed.

See, I'm a huge believer in Christian theft and greed. If there is something good, anything good at all, about anything in our culture, the Christian should be first on the scene, stealing it back for God's glory. We should be greedy for souls, engaging all men in a desperate struggle for their joy.
[I think of U2's cover of Helter Skelter: "Charles Manson stole this from the Beatles. We're stealin' it back."]

It may mean we get a little dirt on us. It may cause our brethren to confuse us for pagans. Heck, I may be wrong, and it may not work at all. But I will try, and here is why:

When I go on constant vigil to keep potential "non-Christian" influences out of my life, I lose my salt. I lose my passion. I successfully isolate myself from the troubles of this life, without ever once reaching out to reclaim them, or more importantly, the people who hold those things dear. Simply put, my Master didn't teach me to look at the things of this world as an obstacle course for which a medal was awarded to those who most successfully avoided touching anything. He taught me to put the things of this world to use. His use.

Engage. Play fair. Steal and be greedy. Leave nothing to the pagans for them to insulate themselves from having to deal with the gospel.

And Happy Easter. Always.