Sending out hundreds of Easter cards this year? Attending way too many Easter parties? Doing some last-minute shopping for gifts to place under your Easter tree? Getting tired of all those Easter-themed specials on television? I didn’t think so. How does Easter resist the commercialism that has turned the Christmas season into a consumerist nightmare, and stubbornly maintain its identity as an actual religious holiday? Find out here: "Happy Crossmas!" James Martin, SJHow Does Easter Do It?
Sending out hundreds of Easter cards this year? Attending way too many Easter parties? Doing some last-minute shopping for gifts to place under your Easter tree? Getting tired of all those Easter-themed specials on television? I didn’t think so. How does Easter resist the commercialism that has turned the Christmas season into a consumerist nightmare, and stubbornly maintain its identity as an actual religious holiday? Find out here: "Happy Crossmas!" James Martin, SJ
Show Comments ()
1
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
17 years 2 months ago
Father Martin, your article captured so much of what I've been thinking lately. I had a very spiritual Lent and Easter. I always look forward to Christmas with the pretty cards that come in the mail, the decorations, the tree, the food, the family and then of course the religious celebration. It's so easy to get caught up in the secular hoopla when it comes to Christmas. I do think that I'm also lucky that where I live, the old traditions hold strong and that helps me hold onto the perspective, but still, it's easy to slip. However, we tend to not think about Easter and what it all means. While I've always known what Easter is, this is the first year, I really feel like I understood and realized at this is what our faith is all about. I took the first steps back to the Church last year at Easter. While I have a long way to go in my faith and have no doubts that I will continue to learn and grow along the way. I will always remember that I came back because of Easter.
The latest from america
A Homily for Pentecost Sunday, by Father Terrance Klein
For a true Eucharistic revival in our nation, we need to take seriously the command of Christ and the “General Instruction” of the Roman Missal to increase our efforts to give everyone a complete sign of reception of holy Communion.
Pope Leo and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke together by phone today, June 4, for the first time, the Kremlin said.
Although Pope Francis already set Aug. 3 as the date to declare the sainthood of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, Pope Leo XIV will hold a meeting with cardinals to approve his canonization and that of seven other people.