By Jonathan H. Westover

Easter is a challenging time to keep the correct perspective and pay appropriate consideration to the sacred nature of Christ’s resurrection. With widespread commercialization, it is becoming quite a challenge to enjoy the quiet and peaceful joys associated with the true worship of Christ.

So how can we make Easter a Christ-Centered Season? We must remember why we celebrate in the first place. Easter is a celebration of Christ’s literal resurrection—the event that paved the way for all of God’s children to overcome physical death and one day receive a glorified, immortal body. When you stop and think about the magnitude of that event, and its implications for all mankind, it is a wonder that we are so easily distracted with frivolity.

Once we remember the importance and majesty of the resurrection, we can understand the true focus of Easter. From there, we can begin to incorporate new family traditions that better reflect a meaningful religious observance of the holiday.

If your family is old enough, one such observance might include watching one of the many church-produced videos depicting the crucifixion and resurrection and then holding a family testimony meaning to provide everyone the opportunity to express their feelings of love and gratitude for the Savior and share what the resurrection means specifically to them in their life.

If young children are part of your Easter plans, you might discuss the various religious meanings embedded into the more secular Easter icons and symbols, such as the Easter egg—symbolizing the beginning of life, the Easter Bunny—symbolizing the abundance of new life in the spring season, and the Easter lily—symbolizing purity and the innocence and radiance of the Lord’s risen life. Training children and adults alike to see the relationship between the resurrection and these more secular symbols will allow us to find reminders of this great event all around us.

If part of your existing family tradition is to hold an Easter egg hunt and/or give Easter gifts, you can sit down with your children and explain that when we search for Easter eggs and candy, it is like how we should diligently search for Christ throughout our lives, and that gifts given represent the ultimate gift and sacrifice of the Savior—the Atonement and resurrection.