For most Christian Americans, the holiest week of the year looks like most others. People purchase Starbucks lattes without lamenting the design of the cup and shop at Target without critiquing the greeters' salutations. They may stop by their local courthouse, but it won't be to protest the removal of an Easter scene from the town square.
In a moment when breathing air seems to stir controversy, Easter has somehow avoided it. Which is especially interesting once you recall that Christmas–the only Christian holy day more popular than Easter–has somehow become a recurring scandal.
Easter and Christmas, as they have come to be known in American popular culture, are strikingly similar. Both mark significant events in Jesus's life; his birth for Christmas and his resurrection for Easter. Both are celebrated by attending religious services, hosting family meals, and other communal festivities. And both holidays have been wrapped in a secular, consumerist folklore. On Christmas, children wake to find presents brought to them by a fictitious character named Santa Claus. On Easter, children wake to find a basket filled with trinkets and candy brought to them by a fictitious character called the Easter Bunny.
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