The Resurrection of our Lord begins at the Easter Vigil service tonight. One of my all-time favorite prayers, the exultet, is chanted or read at this service. It begins: “Rejoice, now, all heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Exult, all creation around God’s throne!”
The part I love best is the repetition of the phrase, “This is the night…” which recounts the story of salvation. The service begins in darkness and then the Paschal Candle is lit and the flame is passed to members of the congregation with the words “The light of Christ.” We answer, “Thanks be to God.” After the gospel, we get to proclaim, “Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia.” What begins in darkness and silence ends with joy and singing.
What do you find the most meaningful in the rituals that surround this solemn time in our life of faith?
Today is the Resurrection of our Lord, the Vigil of Easter. The readings are Romans 6:3-11; John 20:1-18. This message is adapted from the blog, “The Three Days,” written by Kate Sprutta Elliott.