What follows is more than just an article—it is a sincere and thoughtful study on holidays and how Christians should approach them in light of Scripture. Having had the unique opportunity to live within both American and Hispanic cultural perspectives—but most importantly, as a Christian—I have come to recognize the challenges and sensitivities that arise when cultural practices intersect with spiritual convictions.
This study is not written to impose new laws or to bind where God has not bound. Rather, it is an invitation to reflect, to grow, and to seek God’s will above all else. It comes from the heart of a Christian who desires to honor God faithfully and to walk in both truth and peace—peace with God, with fellow believers, and with the world around us. A Spanish version of this study, keeping the same spirit and purpose, has been also published and is available on my website.
It is my humble plea that, as you read, you do so with an open heart and mind. May we all strive for balance in what we do, how we do it, and how we treat one another—without compromising the authority of God’s Word. With that spirit, let us begin our study.
What is Easter?
Easter is traditionally observed as the day commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Though widely embraced by the religious world as a “holy day,” it is not found in the New Testament as a commanded observance for Christians. The word “Easter” appears only once in the King James Version (Acts 12:4), and modern translations more accurately translate the Greek term as “Passover.”
Passover was a commanded feast under the Law of Moses (Exodus 12), instituted to remember God’s deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. It was held on the 14th day of the first month (Nisan) and was one of the most sacred observances for the Jewish people. It involved the sacrifice of a lamb, the eating of unleavened bread, and strict memorial regulations given by God. It was not an optional feast to celebrate. Jesus was crucified during the Passover week (Matthew 26:17–19; John 18:28), and His death fulfilled the typology of the Passover lamb. While the timing is historically proximate, the practice of Easter is not based on any instruction from Jesus or the apostles to commemorate that time annually.
Is Easter the Christian Equivalent of Passover?
The answer is no. While Easter occurs in spring and “commemorates” the resurrection of Christ —an event that did occur around Passover— Easter is not a continuation, fulfillment, or replacement of the Jewish Passover.
- There is no command, example, or inference in the New Testament that tells Christians to establish an annual resurrection celebration.
- The early church remembered not the timing, but the event —Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection— every first day of the week through the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26).
- The name Easter and many of its traditions—such as the Easter bunny, colored eggs, and spring-themed clothing—originated centuries after the time of the apostles. These customs were influenced by Catholic traditions and pagan spring festivals, not by anything taught in the New Testament. Over time, these cultural practices were combined with the message of the resurrection, creating a holiday that looks religious to many but is not based on apostolic teaching.
What About Other Holidays and Their Impact in the Church?
Other holidays, such as Christmas, Halloween, and national observances like Thanksgiving and Independence Day, have also impacted Christian communities. While some see these as secular or family traditions, others may attach spiritual significance to them. In recent decades, some churches have unintentionally (or at times intentionally) mimicked denominational celebrations, giving these days undue weight in worship or special programming. This has caused confusion and inconsistency, especially when churches claim not to follow man-made traditions while simultaneously modifying their focus on these dates.
How Can We Separate a Secular Holiday from a Religious Holiday?
The distinction rests primarily on intent and practice.
The word “holiday” comes from the Old English term hāligdæg, which literally means “holy day.” In its early usage, a holiday referred to a religious day set apart for worship, often marked by feasts, saint commemorations, or church-sanctioned observances—especially in medieval Christianity.
In modern English, however, the meaning of “holiday” has evolved. For example, in British English, it can refer to a vacation or time off from work, while in American English, it usually refers to a nationally recognized day of celebration —many of which are secular and carry no religious significance.
Secular holidays may be observed for cultural, familial, or national reasons. These celebrations can involve time with loved ones, meals, or traditions, without engaging in worship or modifying the church’s biblical practices. By contrast, a religious holiday—in the biblical sense—refers to a day that is sanctified by God for a specific spiritual purpose, such as the Passover, Pentecost, or the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23). These days were commanded to Israel as part of the Old Covenant, preparing the people for the coming of the Messiah.
Once Christ came and established a new covenant (Hebrews 8:6–13), the observance of those holy days was fulfilled and no longer binding. Under this new covenant, the Christian’s “holy day,” if we may call it that, is not a seasonal or annual occurrence—it is the Lord’s Day, the first day of the week, recognized in the New Testament as the day the church gathers for worship and remembrance (Acts 20:7; Revelation 1:10).
Any other so-called religious holiday has been instituted by man and implies an act of worship or spiritual obligation that God has not commanded. That is a serious concern.
For instance, enjoying a festive meal, exchanging gifts, or participating in seasonal customs like egg hunts may be culturally innocent in a family setting. But when the church modifies its message, focus, or worship to conform to an unbiblical calendar, the line between secular and religious becomes dangerously blurred.
When Christians treat man-made holidays as if they were holy, they risk the following:
- Adding to God’s Word (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19),
- Creating confusion, especially in worship assemblies (1 Corinthians 14.33, 40),
- And undermining the authority of Scripture in determining how we honor and serve God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The Authority Given by God and the Application of Romans 14
Biblical authority is essential. The Lord has clearly instructed Christians on how to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24) and has given the pattern for remembering Christ’s death and resurrection—on the first day of every week through the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
Romans 14:5-6 addresses matters of personal conscience: “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it…” This passage is often cited to justify holiday observance, but it refers to personal, private devotion and not the corporate worship of the church. Paul’s context was about dietary laws and Jewish calendar practices, not assigning new days of worship or religious observance. We must not elevate a day without divine authority. About this passage, Bob Winton commented the following:
In the first century, Jews were converted to Christ who had followed the Law of Moses all their lives; it was their lifelong practice to rest on the Sabbath day. To suddenly begin to carry on normal affairs of life on Saturday was doubtless beyond the capability of many of them. But the Gentile converts had no such scruples.
If a Christian wants to devote a day to fasting, praying, and meditation, that is his prerogative. But he is not given the right to force another Christian to join him in the activity. If a Jewish saint spent each Saturday in such activities, and did no manual labor on that day, no one should interfere; he was devoting that time to the Lord. However, he had no right to require another Christian to follow the same routine.
Does this passage give us the right to set aside certain days of the year to be observed as religious holidays? Are we authorized to celebrate Christmas as Christ’s birthday? Are we allowed to set up one Sunday during the year (Easter) to honor the Lord’s resurrection?
No one has the right to bind where the Lord did not bind; no one has the right to loose what the Lord has bound. Our obligations and rights are determined by the New Testament; we must not go beyond our authority; we must not fall short of any of our duties; we must not bind upon any one else what is our right but not the duty to do (Col. 3:17; 2 John 9-11; 1 Cor. 4:6; Rev. 22:18-19; Matt. 7:21-27; John 14:15; Matt. 16:16-19; 18:18)[1].
The Family Aspect of Celebrating Holidays
Many Christians fondly remember traditions such as Easter meals, new clothes, and spring photos. These can be wholesome family traditions as long as they do not become forms of unauthorized worship. Parents can teach their children that while these moments are culturally enjoyable, they are not acts of honoring God. It is essential to separate the family fun from religious observance.
In some homes, Easter means candy baskets and egg hunts—nothing more. In others, it becomes a moment to talk about the resurrection in casual family conversations. As long as the lines remain clear and Scripture remains the foundation, such traditions need not be problematic.
The Expectation to Be Lights to the World and Worship in Truth
Christians are called to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14–16). This means not only moral integrity but also clarity in teaching and practice. When the world sees Christians treating a man-made holiday as spiritually binding, confusion follows. Our worship must be in spirit and truth—not based on cultural trends (John 4:24).
Every first day of the week, the church gathers to remember Christ’s death and resurrection (Acts 20:7). That is our pattern. If we truly want to honor the risen Lord, we will do so every Sunday—not once or twice a year.
Cultural Impact and Sensitivity Across Communities
In the United States, particularly among American congregations, holidays like Easter and Christmas are often approached as cultural or family occasions. Some Christians use these days as opportunities to reflect on spiritual themes, while others simply enjoy the seasonal traditions. In contrast, many Hispanic Christians tend to be more cautious, even rejecting these holidays altogether due to their origins and denominational associations. Some go as far as labeling them sinful, especially when they appear to blur the lines between tradition and religious authority.
This difference in approach highlights an important reality: Christians come from diverse backgrounds and bring different sensitivities with them into the body of Christ. These cultural differences must be handled with humility and understanding, not with judgment or pride. As Paul wrote, “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way” (Romans 14:13).
It is also important to recognize that while faithful Christians remember the life, death, and resurrection of Christ every Lord’s Day, there are many in the world—and even among weak or misinformed brethren—who only give serious thought to spiritual matters on holidays like Easter or Christmas. We should not condone the idea of “holy days” instituted by man, but neither should we miss the evangelistic opportunity these moments can provide.
Instead of harshly condemning those who only think of Christ a couple of times a year, we can lovingly use these occasions to teach what the Bible actually says:
- That Jesus is not the “reason for the season”, but the reason for everything (Colossians 1:16–18).
- That we do not honor Him with seasonal attention, but with consistent obedience and weekly remembrance through the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23–26).
- That every Sunday is a celebration of His resurrection—not just once a year (Acts 20:7).
If visitors come to worship during these holidays, it is not an occasion to question their timing, but an opportunity to plant the seed of truth. We can teach them with gentleness and clarity that the gospel is not seasonal. Christ’s love and sacrifice are not just topics for special occasions—they are the foundation of our lives, worthy of daily gratitude and weekly remembrance.
Let us then walk wisely, using every opportunity (Ephesians 5:15–16) to point others to the truth, while being patient with those who are still learning. At the same time, we must never compromise the authority of Scripture or give the impression that man-made holidays are part of divine worship. Instead, we shine as lights—teaching and living in truth, and seeking unity among brethren from every culture.
The Need for Spiritual Growth in Matters of Conscience
It is commendable that many Hispanic Christians have a deep respect for God’s authority and strive to avoid any appearance of worldliness or religious error. However, part of spiritual maturity is also recognizing the difference between matters of doctrine and matters of personal conscience.
Not everything that is culturally common is sinful in itself. The Scriptures do not condemn secular holidays or family customs unless they are turned into acts of unauthorized worship. Therefore, it is important for Hispanic brethren to grow in their understanding of Romans 14 and other relevant texts—not to compromise truth, but to avoid binding where God has not bound. Maturity includes not only standing for what is right, but also showing grace when Scripture leaves room for liberty.
This does not mean celebrating holidays as religious events. It means understanding that enjoying a family meal, taking seasonal pictures, or participating in non-religious traditions is not inherently sinful. Growth in this area helps promote unity, reduce unnecessary judgment, and equip the church to be more effective in its mission—especially in multicultural contexts.
Conclusion
The discussion around Easter and other holidays calls for more than just tradition or reaction—it demands spiritual maturity, biblical understanding, and mutual love. While it is right to reject any human-made religious observance not authorized in Scripture, we must also recognize the need to grow in how we handle matters of personal liberty and conscience.
Among Hispanic Christians, there is often a commendable zeal for doctrinal purity and a cautious spirit regarding worldly influences. This strong stand is necessary and valuable. However, spiritual maturity also requires the ability to distinguish between what God has forbidden and what He has left as a matter of conscience. Not every cultural practice or secular holiday, when stripped of religious intent, constitutes sin. If God has not called it sin, we must be careful not to bind where He has not bound.
Romans 14 is a reminder that God expects us to exercise both personal conviction and mutual understanding. While some may choose to abstain from all holiday participation for conscience’s sake, others may enjoy cultural and family traditions without assigning spiritual significance. Both must walk in humility. Those who participate must not look down on those who abstain; and those who abstain must not judge those who participate. In this, Hispanic brethren are encouraged to grow—to study, to consider, and to recognize that not all things different are necessarily sinful.
The heart of the matter is this: we are lights in the world (Matthew 5:14–16), and our true worship belongs to God—defined by spirit and truth (John 4:24), not cultural habits or human inventions. We remember Christ’s resurrection every Lord’s Day through the Lord’s Supper. That is our pattern, and it must never be altered.
Yet outside the worship assembly, we must learn to walk in grace, especially with one another. Holidays can provide opportunities for family connection and even evangelism, as long as we keep Christ at the center and Scripture as our guide. By growing in discernment, respecting each other’s conscience, and anchoring our practices in the authority of God’s Word, we can remain united and effective in our mission as the body of Christ.
References
[1] Bob Winton, An Outlined Commentary on Romans, 2022, Gospel Broadcasting Network, pp. 260-262.