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Unlock This CourseYou have already met the story of the resurrection. In the Gospels, women go to the tomb of Jesus very early on the first day of the week and find it empty. In John's Gospel, Mary Magdalene meets Jesus alive. Christians believe that on the third day after his death, God raised Jesus from the dead. Easter Sunday is the day they celebrate this.
Easter follows Lent and Holy Week. Christians move from sadness on Good Friday to joy on Sunday.
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Easter Sunday is full of joy and light. Many churches are filled with flowers, and the hymns are happy.
In many Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican churches, the Vigil starts in darkness. A new fire is lit and the Paschal candle is carried in. Its light is shared with everyone, so the whole church slowly fills with light. This shows Jesus bringing hope after the darkness of Good Friday.
Many Christians meet outdoors or in church at dawn on Easter morning. This remembers the women who came to the tomb early on the first day of the week. Churches of many kinds hold them.
The Orthodox Church celebrates Pascha with a midnight service and a great feast after the long Lenten fast. Orthodox Churches work out the date using a different calendar, so Pascha is often on a different date from Easter in Western Churches.
Many Christians say Easter is more important than Christmas. Christmas celebrates Jesus' birth, but Easter celebrates what Christians believe happened afterwards. Here are some different understandings of its importance.
Paul wrote that if Christ has not been raised, preaching is useless and so is faith (1 Corinthians 15:14). For many Christians, everything depends on the resurrection.
Many Christians believe the resurrection shows that death is not the end. It gives them hope of eternal life.
For some Christians, Easter is about new life now: forgiveness, a fresh start and living differently. Others stress that the resurrection completes Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.
Christians do not all stress the same things. Some focus on the cross and forgiveness. Others focus on the empty tomb and hope. Many Christians see Easter as the festival at the centre of their faith.
Many Churches follow the Church year. Each festival and season tells part of the story of Jesus, so believers live through the story year by year. Christians who value this say festivals teach the faith, bring the community together and give a rhythm to the year. Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican Churches keep the Church year closely.
But Christians do not all agree.
(a) Outline two ways in which Christians celebrate Easter Sunday. [4 marks]
(b) Explain why Easter is important for Christians today. [6 marks]
(c) "Festivals are not important for Christians today." Discuss this statement, considering the arguments for and against. In your answer you should include: reference to teachings; other (divergent) points of view; your opinion or point of view using reasoned arguments. [10 marks]
(a) Many churches hold a Vigil in which the Paschal candle is lit (1), which shows Jesus as the light of the world rising after the darkness of Good Friday (1). Christians greet each other with "He is risen!" and answer "He is risen indeed!" (1), which proclaims their belief in the resurrection (1).
(b) Easter is important because it celebrates the resurrection, which Christians believe is the central event of their faith (1). Paul wrote that if Christ has not been raised, faith is useless, so many Christians see Easter as the festival that everything else depends on (1). It shows victory over death, so believers have hope of eternal life (1). It follows Good Friday, so many Christians understand it as completing Jesus' sacrifice for forgiveness (1). It is a chance to renew baptismal promises and start again as a follower of Jesus (1). It is celebrated by the whole Church, so it brings Christians together in joy (1).
(c) Plan. For the statement: Quakers believe every day is holy, so no special days are needed; Christmas and Easter have become commercial, so many people miss their meaning. Against: festivals such as Easter tell the story of Jesus year by year and help believers live the Gospel; Paul's teaching shows the resurrection is central, so celebrating it matters; Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican Christians say the Church year builds faith and community. Possible conclusion: Festivals are not essential for every Christian, but Easter is so central to the faith that most Christians still see its celebration as important, even when they keep it simply.
In a 4-mark Outline question, give each way as a point plus a development using "which shows" or "because". A third way will not earn extra marks.