A darkened church with one huge candle burning at the front. A Deacon in white vestments sings:
Rejoice, now, all heavenly choirs of angels,
and celebrate the divine mysteries with exultation;
and, for the victory of so great a King,
sound the trumpet of salvation.
Exult, also, O earth, enlightened with such radiance;
and, made brilliant by the splendor of the eternal King,
know that the ancient darkness has been banished from all the world.
Be glad also, O mother Church, clothed with the brightness of such a light,
and let this house resound with the triumphant voices of the peoples.
That was my first experience of an Easter Vigil, a service the church has been celebrating for at least 1400 years. All the earth, all of its creatures, all the hosts of heaven rejoice at the triumph of Christ. I love the words, “the ancient darkness has been banished from all the world.” I sometimes wish the church lived more in the light and less in the darkness. The amount of griping and complaining Christians do is appalling. Unbelievers have an impression of Christians as sour-faced scolds who dislike everybody and everything. Not true! We are an Easter people who rejoice and celebrate. We believe that Christ is risen and the darkness scattered. We are people who live in the light and who desire that everybody experience joy in Christ.
Show the world what you believe, brothers and sister. Rejoice! Celebrate! Be glad! Christ is risen indeed!
Read 1 Peter 1:17-25, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.
Wayne
Joy Lutheran Church Ocala, Florida 