Yellowknife (Apr 18/03) - When I was a kid, Jesus and the Easter Bunny co-existed in relative harmony in my home.

I was raised by a Presbyterian minister who despised the commercial aspects of Christmas -- as well as how the holiday depleted his bank account. I don't remember him being as grumpy about the Easter Bunny.

We certainly ate lots of chocolate at Easter. In fact, my mom just sent me a box of Laura Secord mints the other day.

Anyway, when asked by an editor to write a "Jesus vs. the Easter Bunny" story, I didn't expect it to be a hot topic. It turned out I was right. I couldn't find anyone with a big grudge against the Easter Bunny.

When asked his opinion on the subject, the Church of Christ's pastor Steve McMillan said: "I guess if I had to choose between them, I'd choose the Resurrection of Christ."

Of course, he doesn't think the Easter Bunny is evil.

He uses eggs to teach his children about the Christian holiday. His kids open up eggs -- some of these have chocolate in them, some don't.

"We use it to explain that when Jesus' tomb was opened, he wasn't there."

Why integrate these more commercial aspects of the holiday?

"Partly because I don't think there's anything wrong with Easter eggs and chocolate. I don't see any reason in getting rid of it."

The priest at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Donald Flumerfelt, said eggs are a Christian symbol of life, hope and breaking forth.

He is currently getting ready for a service which walks through how Jesus celebrated passover with his disciples in Jerusalem.

One of the symbolic foods used in the service is an egg, he said. The egg is roasted and breaks open in the service. "It's the breaking forth," he said. "It points to the resurrection of Jesus, breaking out of the tomb."

He said he doesn't tell his kids about the Easter Bunny. They do focus on eggs as a symbol.

As for chocolate? "It's available," he said with a laugh.