Easter in Quarentine

Easter is the most important and joyful of all Christian holy days because it marks the resurrection of Jesus. Easter always comes after the spring equinox, when lots of things in nature are returning to life- specifically, on the first Sunday after the full Moon on or just after the equinox. 

The English word Easter comes from the Old English Eastre, which was the name for the spring season.

Easter is the penultimate time of hope, renewal and new life, which is at the heart of the message that Christians wish to proclaim and live in the world. I see this as a reminder to live each day as a new day, and to have faith that the actions I take will have transforming power in the world.

Agenda today:

1. Greet the Easter sunrise with joy
2. Shift towards joy

1. Greet the Easter sunrise with joy
To the old pagan tribes of northern Europe, spring was the time of the triumphant sun, the sun reborn to light the dark valleys. It has been a tradition since the Middle Age for folks to gather on hilltops to watch the sunrise on Easter morning. According to legend, the rising sun dances on Easter morning to honor Jesus’ resurrection. 

I haven't managed it lately, but I have deep memories from my childhood of the walk up Coxcomb Hill on Easter morning to see the sunrise, followed by breakfast at our house for anyone from our church who cared to come, and a big egg hunt for us kids.

2. Shift towards joy: 
I've been in a dark mood, which has been building for the several weeks that we have been on orders to stay home. I'm worried about my family and generally feeling sorry for myself.

Today I felt a welcome shift towards the Light. It began on my morning walk, when I found a message on a sidewalk written with chalk:

"12 hidden eggs - find them with your eyes"

I stopped and looked and - sure enough - I saw eggs hidden in the front garden of a house! What a little moment of joy!

Later, at our zoom Meeting for Worship, I heard several messages that helped also; one about having time now to find the magnificence of life, and one about all that is YES. I feel happier, and ready to shift towards joy.