Friday, April 7, 2023

Easter is Greater Than Christmas


Which of your Eids is bigger?” my Muslim friend kindly inquired one lazy afternoon. Her mahogany eyes glistened with curiosity as she waited for my response. Two of the largest holidays of the year for Muslims are Eid—one was big Eid (lasting four days) and the other small Eid (a three-day celebration).

I hesitated. I had never given much thought to whether Christmas or Easter was “bigger.”

I picked up my cup of green tea, cardamom wafting through the air, and took a sip to stall. As I reflected on American culture, it seemed like Christmas was the holiday everyone scurried to participate in some way. Festive lights twinkle on homes and in apartment windows. Friends and families gather for parties. Children write letters to Santa and open Advent calendar doors. Garland and red bows adorn poles throughout downtowns across the country.

Easter, on the other hand, seemed relinquished to a three-day weekend, egg hunts, and a single meal. It seemed Americans spent more time celebrating Christmas.

“I think Christmas is our big Eid and Easter is our small Eid,” I cautiously replied. But as the words tumbled from my lips my answer felt like a wrong note played during a piano recital.


Read the full article on Christian Parenting.

*This piece was originally published on Momma Theologians.