Easter is my favorite church service of the year. Hands down. Its wins out over Christmas every time. Why? One word...JOY. Maybe its because Lent is so somber, and by the time Easter Sunday rolls around we're all in the mood for a little joy. Maybe its because it is spring, and my inner spirit is "blooming" with the rest of nature.
But I know better. I feel overwhelmed with JOY every Easter because I am feeling the fulfillment of God's promises. His promise of a Savior. His promise of redemption. His promise of eternal life. Its all done! The LONG road from Adam and Eve to Jesus Christ is finished! Just as Christ spoke those words on the cross, "It is finished," the promise was fulfilled. He then took a victory march through Hell, came back to earth to us and said..."Go and tell and don't keep this a secret! Everyone MUST know!!!"
The entire reason for Christmas is Easter. The entire reason for Easter is our sin. My entire sinful life is forgiven. Gone. God does not remember those sins I have begged to be forgiven for. "The past is over and gone."
So, yeah...JOY.
