Preacher C and the Great 50 Days

Easter lasts more than one day. Lots of people don't know that. In fact, there is a whole season of Easter in the church celebrated from Easter Sunday to the Day of Pentecost. It's sometimes called the Great Fifty Days. The word Pentecost actually comes from the old English Pentecosten which means "Christian festival on seventh Sunday after Easter" (taken from http://www.etymonline.com). So, it's all about Easter! Everything starts at Easter for the Christian, for without it's significance, Christmas would not have much importance,

Easter is the oldest festival of the church. The Great Fifty Days has been celebrated much longer than some other festivals and liturgical seasons, such as Advent and Lent. Easter is a most joyful season! The color is white (and/or gold) and the symbols associated with it are truly gorgeous! Flowers in every color imaginable! Butterflies! Brightly colored eggs! Beautifully woven baskets - that's right, they're not just for collecting eggs, but have a symbolism all their own. Young chicks, duckling, and bunnies. The dogwood tree. Stained glass. Hot cross buns. Spring cleaning. Handel's Messiah. Faberge eggs. Ukranian eggs. All these are symbols connected with the celebration of Easter. Why must we use them only on one day?

Readings through the season of Easter are from the book of Acts, emphasizing the importance of our continued presence as a church. We must carry on Jesus' Great Commission, His last instructions to us after the resurrection. "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20) Yes, we must carry the message of the Gospel. But I say we do it with joy; with flowers, eggs, baskets, hot cross buns, songs, and the promise that Jesus is a living, breathing savior that walks with us and cares for us and celebrates with us and forgives us and wants us to know true peace and great joy!

Easter reaches its peak at Pentecost, when we celebrate the bursting into our world of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives the power and gifts to the church to do God's will and carry Jesus' message even more powerfully into the world. But that's a story for another day...for now, let's continue to enjoy Easter!!!!!