The Light of Easter

Tomb, thou shalt not hold Him longer;

Death is strong, but Life is stronger;

Stronger than the dark, the light;

Stronger than the wrong, the right;

Faith and Hope triumphant say

Christ will rise on Easter Day.”

~Phillips Brooks~

Bulls, goats, a spotless lamb.  The Old Testament is full of  sacrifices -- each one using the blood of the animals as an atonement for sin.  Still there was a darkness over the earth.  The darkness of sin that required the earth to be flooded, darkness that led to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, darkness that led King Saul to the witch of Endor and led Jeremiah to walk the streets of Jerusalem forty years pleading for the city to turn to God.

Photo by Emily

Then Jesus came -- He came with miracles, love of sinners and warnings for those who revel in rules without grace.  He came from Heaven to a dark, dark world.  And with that coming, lived as a sinless man.  Still, the world needed bulls, goats, a spotless lamb for atonement. 

Then Jesus died -- betrayed by one of His closest friends, condemned to die at the hands of a man who found no fault in Him.  Jesus became the sacrificial Lamb -- atoning for our sins.  He died, but oh, there's a difference in this Lamb.  Yes, Jesus was chosen because He was sinless.  Yes, He died for our sins.  And, yes, in His death He was separated even from God, His Father.

Then Jesus arose -- the sealed tomb wasn't an obstacle, the guards couldn't guard him, and on that glorious morning, the devil shuddered realizing the Light illuminated the darkness he craved.  The resurrection gives us a living sacrifice.  The world no longer needs bulls, goats or a spotless lamb for atonement.  In death, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom -- to signify the end of animal sacrifice -- sending light streaming through the Holy of Holies.  In resurrection, the light of grace shined brightly to illumine our darkened path.

Photo collage by Emily


The grace that I hold in my heart wasn't cheap.  It cost Jesus' life, yet was freely given.  The Resurrected Light lived in the hearts of the early Christians, the Puritans in the New World and Jews during the Holocaust. The Resurrected Light lived in the hearts of my grandparents and parents. That same Light drove the darkness from my heart and filled it with light -- the Light of Easter.

* * * * *

Easter Song Candles

I asked RB and Emily their favorite Easter season song.  RB -- He Lives.  I should have know that.  I've heard him tell the story behind the writing of He Lives so many times throughout the years.  Emily -- Because He Lives. I chose Charles Wesley's And Can it Be for my favorite.

Photo by Emily

He left his Father's throne above
(so free, so infinite his grace!),
emptied himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!

I scanned the songs in the computer, cropped them to the size I wanted and printed them on parchment.  After cutting them, I used my Martha Stewart scalloped punch (found at a reduced price at TJ Maxx) for the edges.  Then all I had to do was glue each one to the candle and add some ribbon. 

These would make great sheltering gifts for any time of the year.  Oh, the Love of Jesus for Valentine's Day, Silent Night for Christmas, There's a New Name Written in Glory for a new Christian, From Every Stormy Wind That Blows for a friend going through a difficult time. 

This post is linked to:

Spiritual Sundays

Meet and Follow Sunday
Mosaic Monday