Easter
ALLELUIA! CHRIST IS RISEN!
CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!
The season of Easter begins with this salutation, and focuses on the most important religious event in Christendom -- the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ following his crucifixion.
The day on Easter falls can vary from year to year. Generally, the date is determined to be the Sunday following the 14th day of the lunar month that begins following March 21st (Vernal Equinox, or the start of Spring). This is a simplification of the calculations that actually take place, a more formal explanation of the methodology that was agreed upon by the World Council of Churches can be found on the ELCA web site.
The Easter Holiday is also the start of a church season that lasts for fifty days (sometimes referred to as "a week of weeks"). During this fifty day period Christ ministered to his disciples and instructed them on their mission into the world. Of course, Christians refer to themselves as the Easter People, and our belief in the power of the Resurrection emboldens us to proclaim the Good News not just on one day, not just for an hour on Sunday, but every day of the year!
The lessons read on the first few sundays of the Easter Season focus on Jesus' resurrection and the reactions of the disciples -- ranging from disbelief (Thomas - John 20:19-31) to wonderment (the two disciples on the road to Emmaus - Luke 24:13-35) to joy (Peter - John 21:1-8); at each appearance Jesus Christ offers the gift of peace -- an offering that continues in his church to this day. The lesson readings also focus on the formative steps taken by the early Christian church, as recorded in the first half of the book of Acts.
The fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally observed as "Good Shepherd Sunday". On this day the Gospel reading (John 10:1-20), the beautiful metaphor of Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd who, by dying on the cross lays down his life for his sheep. Psalm 23 is also read aloud or include as a choir anthems.
The celebration of the Ascension of our Lord (as described in Acts 1:6-11) takes place on a Thursday, 40 days after Easter Sunday, using the same reckoning as is used to observe Lent (Sundays are not included in the actual count). Gospel readings associated with the Ascension also include Jesus' Great Commission to His disciples (the most frequently used reading is Matthew 28:19-20).
The liturgical colors throughout this period are white, a symbol of purity and the joy of the Resurrection.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations;
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.
And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20, NRSV