Christ is Risen

He is risen indeed! I am struck again by the sounds and colors of our Easter service. The horns and the reds and the flowers, the overall impact of which is powerful. This morning contrasted with last night's Easter vigil is quite stark, last night begins in the dark and springs to light only after we have read through the Old Testament promises, and just when these promises seem most to be lost some one proclaims the good news-Christ is risen. Easter vigil is sort of the first, hopeful, nervous, still trying to believe cry that Jesus may really be alive. If last night is the beginning of the rumors- Christ is risen..., then this morning is the banner headline- He is risen indeed! With the confirmation of this good news, we celebrate, we bring out our best, we have reason to dance again. Easter is our ticker tape parade celebrating the end of a war, our king who was dead is now alive- spread the word!
As a parent I am sorry that my kids are not more enchanted with Easter. The presents are not as good as Christmas, and while the candy is as good as Halloween, Easter's dress up means a tie and nice shoes, not a super hero mask. All Easter really has going for it is Christ. For the first time, this was almost enough for our oldest son who is grappling with all the implications of Jesus' death and resurrection. I continue to pray that it will be enough for me, and on the most grace filled of days it is. I have finally heard the new Switchfoot album, and the second song is worth the price of the whole disc. "American Dream" is everything that has ever been good about the band, with an amazingly insightful, convicting and challenging chorus. It helps to be reminded of our need for death and resurrection, and all the ways we make death look like life and freedom.