The words to one of the most beloved of all Easter hymns, words that Handel put to music in his oratorio, Messiah, words that you will see on at least one gravestone in a walk through a cemetery come from perhaps an unlikely source.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the Christian’s 40-day journey with the Lord to the cross and tomb, preparing for the proclamation of Easter. The 40 days are reminiscent of several biblical events: Jesus’ 40-day fast at the beginning of this ministry, Moses’ stay on Mount Sinai at the giving of the Law, and Elijah’s fast on his way to the mountain of God.
I’m not a big bucket-list person and yet there are many places I’d like to visit. I once had the goal of getting to every single major-league baseball ballpark–not sure when that would happen.
When the women arrived at the tomb early Easter morning, the angels who greeted them did so with three unbelievable words of truth: He has risen!
The angel, who effortlessly rolled back the massive stone, had clothes of dazzling white and his appearance was like lightning. It must have been terrifying for the two women who came upon this otherworldly being.
The most-read online article of the year 2016 was written by a man named Alain de Botton called, “Why you will marry the wrong person.” It’s a great piece that blows up a lot of common expectations about love and relationships.
As Christians we all know the company line, so to speak: Easter gives us joy. But it seems like there is a disconnect between our head and our heart when it comes to this in practice.
As I read the book, I could see that my daughter was getting more and more uncomfortable. “Daddy, will the witch eat Hansel and Gretel!?” She asked. I said, “I don’t know, we will have to wait and find out.”
Can you picture that first Easter morning? Jesus’ followers were up early getting ready for the celebration. They set up tables outside the tomb and prepared food and wine.
Back in 1943, Norman Rockwell did a painting that was published in the Saturday Evening Post. The painting shows a father and mother tucking their two children in at bedtime.
Eastside Evangelical Lutheran Church and School
2310 Independence Lane
Madison, WI 53704
