2008-03-21 - Sunrise Services

Mark 16:5-6 (NASB) Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified He has risen. He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe - and they were amazed.

This Sunday, many Protestants will be attending Sunrise Services (Roman Catholics have their own tradition, an Easter Vigil). I've been to many Sunrise Services through the years, and for me, the simpler the better. The first-ever known Sunrise Service was held by Englsih Moravians in 1732, and then Moravian Missionaries spread the tradition around the world.

In commemoration of the early morning visit to the tomb by Mary Magdalene and Salome, many churches present dramas about Christ's resurrection. In celebration of the fact that Christ overcame the grave, some services are convened in cemeteries. My previous church held them by a pond. It was quite interesting. Sometimes the hymns were accompanied by ad-libbed honking from neighborhood waterfowl. Some people even have their own family Sunrise Services. Wherever and however you celebrate Easter, I hope that it will be meaningful for you, and please do remember that as Christians, we can celebrate Easter every day.

Jan

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