Thanksgiving isn’t as big of a holiday as Christmas, either. And you can hardly compare a single week of float with an entire month.
I’ve been a Roman Catholic, a member of the United Church of Christ, and a moderate Lutheran. Easter has always been the more significant event.
But, of course, Christmas is just so darn fun!
The day before Thanksgiving is the biggest travel day of the year. I would say the day itself is at least as big, if not bigger than Christmas (not many non-Christians celebrating Christmas day), even if the Christmas season makes it bigger overall. Thanksgiving day is celebrated by almost every American, regardless of creed.
The way it was explained to me;
Easter was a holiday easily hidden behind Passover.
Christmas stood alone & was much more defiant. It made the person caught celebrating it more “crucifixion worthy” or “food-for-lions for the entertainment of the Romans” worthy.
The Quaker meetings I’ve attended do absolutely nothing special on Easter Sunday, although the holiday may color spontaneous spoken testimony. There is usually Extra Stuff for Christmas, e.g. a carol singing night that I greatly miss from the meeting I went to growing up.
And Pentecost is more important than either of them. But only pious Christians know that.
Christmas is more important because it’s been around longer (several centuries before Christ – he is NOT the reason for the season) and because more people push it – all retailers, travel industry, restaurants, charities, etc. have their own reasons for hyping this hiliday.
We did when I was in school in the 80’s and 90’s. Good Friday off, as well as the entire week after Easter.
I’ll join in - Easter is the biggest holiday in the Christian calender (yes, definitely more than Pentecost - unless you are Pentecostal or otherwise Charismatic, I guess). I’ve heard it described on many occasions as the Christian Super Bowl. Heck, I go to Church 4 straight days on Easter - Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday. It is the cornerstone of the Christian faith - Christ conquering sin and death.
Why is Christmas so much bigger in the secular world? Well, it makes more money. And as stated, Easter can differ by a month from year to year. And people aren’t necessarily likely to fast during Lent unless they belong to a Liturgical Church and are practicing Christians in that Church.
nm
In the church I grew up in, Easter was seen as the fulfillment of the promise of Christmas. The sacrifice and ressurection are what allows salvation. It was certainly seen as the bigger deal and had multiple services and church events as opposed to one at Christmas. (Good Friday, Easter sunrise service, regular service, etc)
Because people spend more money on Christmas presents than they do on Easter baskets.
Which is one of the good things about Easter - fewer distractions.
Regards,
Shodan