Its Still Easter
Easter is the most important holiday in the Christian faith - there, I said it!
Easter is the most important holiday in the Christian faith - there, I said it!
Easter is more than egg hunts and brunches. Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, which is the lynchpin of Christianity. But often, the celebration of Easter is confined to a single day or weekend, and the significance of the resurrection is not fully grasped. This is where Eastertide comes in.
Eastertide, also known as the Easter season or the Great Fifty Days, is the period of time between Easter Sunday and Pentecost. It is a time to reflect on and celebrate the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Eastertide is the Church’s way of continuing the celebration that was anchored by brass quartets, lilies, and freshly pressed clergy vestments.
Rev. Fleming Rutledge, a prominent Episcopalian preacher, and author, emphasizes the importance of Eastertide in her book, The Crucifixion. She writes, "Eastertide is like a great cathedral with many rooms. We can enter any of the rooms at any time, and we will find it rich with meaning and significance." Rutledge emphasizes that the resurrection is not a one-time event but a reality that continues to shape our lives and the world around us. Eastertide provides an opportunity to explore this reality in depth.
Rutledge also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in Eastertide. She writes, "The Holy Spirit is poured out upon the church at Pentecost, and this is the power that enables the church to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ." The celebration of Eastertide is not just a personal reflection on the resurrection but a communal experience of the power of the Holy Spirit.
Rev. Will Willimon, a retired United Methodist Bishop and professor at Duke Divinity, stresses the importance of Eastertide. He writes,s "Easter is not a one-day event. It is a way of life." Willimon argues that the resurrection is not just a historical fact but a present reality that should shape our daily lives. Eastertide provides an opportunity to cultivate this way of life.
Will also emphasizes the importance of the church in celebrating Eastertide. He writes, "The church is the Easter people. We are the ones who believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and who live in its power." The celebration of Eastertide is not just an individual experience but a communal one. The church is a vital part of this experience.
So, why is it so important to celebrate Eastertide?
Firstly, it allows us to deepen our understanding of the resurrection. The resurrection is not just a historical fact but a reality that continues to shape our lives and the world around us. Eastertide provides an opportunity to explore this reality in depth, to explore how everything has changed.
Secondly, it enables us to cultivate a way of life shaped by the resurrection. The resurrection is not just a one-time event but a present reality that should shape our daily lives. Eastertide provides an opportunity to cultivate this way of life.
Finally, celebrating Eastertide is a communal experience. The church is the Easter people, and the celebration of Eastertide is not just an individual experience but a communal one. It allows us to experience the power of the Holy Spirit and to share in the joy of the resurrection together.
Celebrating Eastertide is an essential part of the Christian faith - so do it!
This ongoing celebration allows us to deepen our understanding of the resurrection, cultivate a way of life shaped by the resurrection, and share in the joy of the resurrection together as a community. As Rutledge writes, "Eastertide is like a great cathedral with many rooms." Let us take the time to explore the richness of these rooms and allow the resurrection to shape our lives in a profound way.