He is Risen

The Season of Easter is a movable feast. The holiday is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox (one of the two times a year when the day and night are equally as long). This usually occurs on March 21, which means the date of Easter can range between March 22 and April 25, depending on the lunar cycle.

In the Christian Church year, Easter is far more than a single day of observance. Like the Christmas season, Easter is a seven-week period of the Church year called Eastertide. This fifty-day period, called Pentecost in some traditions, begins at sundown the evening before Easter Sunday (the Easter Vigil) and lasts for six more weeks until Pentecost Sunday. This year’s Eastertide begins on April 9 and ends on May 28.

Eastertide is a glorious celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Christians believe, according to Scripture, that Jesus was raised from the dead three days after his death on the cross. As part of Eastertide, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is commemorated on Good Friday, just before Easter. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for sin, thus gifting for all who believe in Him eternal life. ‘God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” (John 3:16-17).

The Season of Easter is the high point of the Christian Church year. Traditionally, worshippers participate in an extended feast wherein the paschal candle is lit at every service as a sign of the risen Christ. Scripture readings highlight every Christian’s connection to the death and resurrection of Jesus. The scripture readings proclaim the power of the resurrection that gives strength in suffering, unity in diversity, consolation in sorrow, perseverance in adversity, and faith in times of doubt.

So, we urge Believers to go out and share the life-changing good news of the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. However, sharing our faith may involve more listening and learning than we might realize. Get to know your local and global neighbors. Bring a friend or coworker to our Worship Service and fine-tune your ministry of hospitality. Share an Easter prayer with your family and friends.

But there is more to spreading the good news. Allow for the seven weeks between Easter and Pentecost Sunday to be a time of continued celebration that Christ is risen. Sing Easter hymns and songs on the Sundays following Easter. Display the liturgical colors associated with Easter, white and gold signifying light, victory, and eternal life.

Let the prayers of Easter draw you into the joy. Jesus is with us. Jesus is alive today, and when truly believed, that truth changes you forever. The resurrection of Jesus means we have no reason to fear. Jesus has defeated death.

Holy Saturday: April 8

By the second century, Christians established a particular day for the celebration of the resurrection, which was connected to the Jewish Passover. Their observance began at sundown on Saturday evening. They called it the Night of the Great Vigil, a time of remembrance and expectation that lasted throughout the night so they could sing “alleluia” at dawn on Easter morning. It was during the Night of the Great Vigil that new Christians were received into the Church.

The Season of Easter – April 9 – May 28, 2023
Easter Sunday: April 9
Ascension Day Thursday: May 18
Pentecost Sunday: May 28

Mark P. Gunderman 
Stephens City, Va.