In terms of the calendar, Easter is coming early this year.
Last spring, we celebrated Easter on April 9, and the previous year, it was April 17.
For those who might be interested (perhaps there are a few other calender nerds like myself out there), it’s actually been eight years since we last celebrated the resurrection in March — as we are doing this year — and it’s only happened five times since the turn of the century.
But here’s the thing: Even though Easter might feel early, I would argue that it is arriving not a moment too soon. Given the current social climate in our nation, we need an emphasis on the empty tomb as soon as we can get it.
In fact, perhaps we should consider celebrating Easter once a month? Or better yet, how about every Sunday? Or better still, how about every day? I really don’t think that is too much to ask. In fact, as believers, I feel that we are called to do this!
Dawson
For the record, I am not talking about putting on brand new clothes and bringing Easter lillies to the church on a daily basis. But surely — surely — each of us, as believers, can take time every day to pause what we are doing, bow our heads and simply spend a few quiet moments celebrating the greatest moment that has ever happened: Jesus rising from the grave.
Surely — surely — we haven’t grown so familiar with the story of Easter that we are no longer emotionally impacted when we think about (or read about) the story of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection?
No matter what is going on in our lives, I believe almost all of us have the capacity and ability to take a moment each day to either get on our knees or perhaps simply raise our hands to worship the risen Savior.
Maybe you can sing (or hum) your favorite hymn or contemporary worship song. Or maybe just read Luke 24:1-3. Perhaps you can even memorize that powerful passage and recite it every day with your family or by yourself.
One way or the other, my challenge for you (and for me, too, for that matter!) is to make every day Easter Sunday, at least for a few moments.
Now, when it comes to celebrating the “real” Easter Sunday itself, I will spare you any soapbox speeches. I’m not going to pick a side on the age-old debate about the potential “slippery slope” that surrounds the concept of the Easter Bunny.
But I will say this: My hope is that children who are being raised in a Christian home understand that the focus of Easter is not eating candy. The focus should be on the stone that was rolled away, not the eggs hidden away in the bushes.
For me, personally, my earliest memories of Easter are something that I truly cherish. During my childhood, my dad was the pastor of a church in Decatur, Ala., and each year, we held a sunrise service in a little open-air chapel on the grounds of Point Mallard Park.
And let me just tell you, nobody does an Easter Sunrise service like Bro. Mike Dawson. (And no, this is not up for debate). He always referred to it as the SON-rise service, and he still uses that term today.
The happiness and excitement on my dad’s face — and the gentle and humble nature in which he delivered the greatest story ever told — was always such a perfect display of how Christians should embrace Easter. It’s a day of joy and enthusiasm; of praise and thanksgiving; of hope and healing.
My dad actually demonstrates that same joy every day. And we can, too. We don’t have to limit our celebration to just Easter Sunday. In fact, we shouldn’t!
With the smallest amount of effort, and the right amount of priority-making, we can have Easter every day. B&R
