Why Easter is Better than Every Other Holiday

We can disagree on the best sports team (not that I have a favorite sports team). Or we can disagree on the best restaurant. And we can even disagree on the best Bible reading plan.

But can we really disagree that Easter is the best holiday?

Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Independence Day, Labor Day… all these holidays include something meaningful—but they don’t compare to Easter. The only real contender is Christmas. But I still say with confidence: Easter is the best.

Why, you ask? Here are my 3 reasons…

#1 Easter celebrates the most revolutionary day in history.

Easter commemorates the greatest event in all of history: when Jesus, because of his great love, died and rose again to reconcile unworthy sinners to himself.

As much as I love Christmas, even the birth and incarnation of Jesus isn’t enough to reconcile us to God. We needed Jesus’ death to pay the penalty for our sin. And we needed his resurrection to prove God’s power over sin and death. The message of Easter includes the message of Christmas—and completes it.

What happened at Easter changed history, and it alters eternity for every person who has ever lived or ever will live. What holiday beats that?

#2 Easter celebrates the greatest thing that has ever happened to you.

I cringe a little when people say a specific lifestyle decision was “the best decision they ever made,” or that a health choice was “the best thing that ever happened to them.” I know what they mean, so I’m not trying to nitpick—but still, nothing is better than being saved from your sin and brought into a right relationship with God. Nothing.

And that is what we are celebrating at Easter. Easter reminds us that our sin separated us from God—and that only Christ could bring us back.

Even celebrating our own birth (our birthday) shouldn’t come close to the joy of celebrating the spiritual birth we remember at Easter. Physical birth, though a gift, brings us into a life marked by sin. Spiritual birth brings us into true life—a life rightly aligned to God.

#3 The distractions are minimal (and less appealing).

One reason Easter may not feel as spectacular is the lack of cultural hoopla surrounding it. But that actually makes it better.

Yes, there are bunnies, eggs, and baskets—but it’s not that hard to keep those things in the background. And honestly, those traditions are only fascinating for a few years of childhood. (Christmas gifts, Halloween candy, Valentine’s cards, and even fireworks tend to compete much more for our attention.)

Easter, on the other hand, gives us a rare opportunity: a holiday where we can actually focus on what we’re celebrating.

Keep Easter’s Awesomeness

With all that said, let’s really celebrate Easter this year—not by adding more noise, but by keeping the distractions minimal.

Instead, focus on rejoicing in what Jesus accomplished in his death and resurrection. Remember how he saved you. And savor the gift of worshipping with the people of God.

That is how you celebrate the best holiday in the best possible way.