Saturday, April 11, 2009
Still a religious holiday
Easter hasn't been subject to as much commercialization as Christmas.
Eric Brady | The Roanoke Times
Worshippers at Pilgrim Baptist Church in Roanoke, including James Andrews (front), sing and praise during a noontime service. All week long, in preparation for Easter, Pilgrim Baptist Church held midday services.
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In the weeks before Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, shoppers fill the malls and empty their wallets. But in the weeks leading up to the observance of Jesus' resurrection, not as many retailers stand to make an extra holiday buck.
Easter has retained a stronghold as a religious holiday, while Christmas has been buried under a stampede of buying and selling. This begs a basic question: Why?
"You don't have as much gift-giving on Easter," said Robert Benne, director of the Center for Religion and Society at Roanoke College. "That's why it hasn't been commercialized as much."
It also has to do with the origin of the holiday, according to Carter Turner, an assistant professor at Radford University who teaches a course on religion in America. The celebration of Christmas, he said, has never been isolated from consumption by the masses.
He said scholars have not agreed on the exact date Jesus was born, and that in the early to mid-1800s Christians began observing that day on Dec. 25, which was also a pagan festival date. After that, the holiday developed into the Christmas we know today.
Christmas "never really had a life outside of this commercialization, which Easter did and does," Turner said.
Christmas also lends itself to consumerism because of the tradition of giving gifts to commemorate God's gift to the world, Jesus. Even if some people don't celebrate the religious aspect of the holiday, they continue to buy and give presents.
But that's not to say Easter hasn't become profitable for some businesses. Bunnies and eggs were both pagan signs of fertility that became Easter symbols and are now widely marketed. The day has just not become the commercial occasion that is Christmas.
"Christmas is a foundation of our economy. Without that tradition our economy wouldn't thrive like it does," Turner said. "If Easter developed into a holiday that sells, I don't think people would try to slow it down."
Meanwhile, the Easter Sunday service remains an important event in area churches.
With that in mind, here is a list of regional happenings this weekend.
Acting Faith Ministries
A youth production, "From the Eyes of the Children," today and two services on Sunday.
When: 6 p.m. today and 6 and 11 a.m. Sunday
Where: 913 E. Main St., Salem
Contact: 375-0316
Beginnings Pentecostal Church
A service with the Easter bunny as a surprise guest.
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: 612 Bullet Ave. S.E., Roanoke
Contact: 774-6975
Bonsack Baptist Church
The second week of performances of the pageant "O Come, Be Born Again."
When: 2 and 7 p.m. today
Where: 4845 Cloverdale Road, Bonsack
Contact: 977-5701; www.bonsackbaptist.org
Celebration Church of God
Separate egg hunts for the ages 1 to 4, 5 to 7, and 8 to 11. Lunch will be given to everyone and candy treat bags to children.
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today
Where: 4880 Brambleton Avenue, Roanoke
Contact: 774-7711
Colonial Baptist Church
Service at 7 a.m., breakfast at 8 a.m., Sunday school at 9 a.m., and a musical presentation at 10 a.m.
When: Sunday
Where: 221 Hillcrest Street, Blue Ridge
Contact: 977-5683, colonialbapt.org
High Street Baptist Church
Sunrise service at 7 a.m., breakfast at 8 a.m., Sunday school at 9 a.m. and worship service at 10:30 a.m.
When: Sunday
Where: 2302 Florida Ave. N.W., Roanoke
Contact: 540-563-0123
Hollins Church of the Nazarene
Crafts, games, prizes, puppets and an egg hunt for children 3 to 11.
When: 11 a.m. to noon today.
Where: 7039 Plantation Road, Roanoke
Contact: 366-8701
Mount Pleasant Baptist Church
An egg hunt today followed by a hot dog lunch. A community sunrise service and an Easter service.
When: 11 a.m. today; 6:45 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday
Where: 3000 Pitzer Road, Roanoke
Contact: 427-5494
Patterson Memorial Grace Brethren Church
A presentation of "Written in Red."
When: 10:30 a.m. Sunday
Where: 5512 Hollins Road, Roanoke
Contact: 362-0336
Peaks View Christian Church
An egg hunt today and a presentation on Sunday titled "No More Night."
When: 2 to 4 p.m. today and 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
Where: 1604 Moneta Road, Bedford
Contact: 586-0333
Pilgrim Baptist Church
A sunrise service at 6 a.m., breakfast at 8 a.m. and Easter worship service at 10:45 a.m.
When: Sunday
Where: 1415 8th Street N.W.
Contact: 586-0333
Redwood United Methodist Church
A community breakfast from 7 to 9:30 a.m., followed by an egg hunt at 9:30 a.m.
When: Sunday
Where: 3001 Old Franklin Turnpike, Rocky Mount
Contact: 483-9090
Staunton Baptist Church
A lakeside "Son-rise" service followed by a free community breakfast.
When: 7 a.m. Sunday
Where: 16918 Smith Mountain Lake Parkway
Contact: 297-6753
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