Sunrise Service

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It was dark outside as we woke up and began getting ready for church.  It was exciting to get up on Easter because we were going to sunrise service. 

We attended church regularly from the time that I could remember but Easter Sunday was different.  There was something special about getting up before the sunrise.  The air was crisp and as the sky slowly became a little lighter, the birds began to chirp as if to announce the forthcoming sunrise.

We made our way down the gravel road to the church that was only a block from our house.  As we walked, I could hear the gravel crunching beneath my feet and I tried to walk ever so carefully so I wouldn’t get dust or marks on my new white shoes that I thought were almost too pretty to wear.

I was excited to get to church because my cousin, Suzanne, and I were to sing a duet in the Easter program.  There was an atmosphere of expectancy as people were seated and the music began to play.  The choir sang “In the Garden” and“The Old Rugged Cross”  as narration was interspersed between songs.  Then the moment came, it was the scripture that was our cue:  “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. When he had said this, he breathed his last.”  Immediately, Suzanne and I began to sing the old spiritual, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” and I knew in my heart even as a child that in some mysterious way, I was there and that the Lord paid a debt He did not owe because I owed a debt I couldn’t pay.

Next, the narrator began read the words: “Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.  His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.”  At the very moment, the choir broke into the joyful song “Christ the Lord is Risen today, Al – le – lu – ia!”   

After church  I remember running down the gravel road toward home.  In my excitement, I had forgotten all about being careful not to mess up my new white shoes.   I wondered if the women that found the empty tomb thought about their shoes.  Then I wondered what became of the no longer needed spices that they had carried to the tomb.  I guessed the women probably forgot all about them because how can you think about your shoes or spices when you have just seen an earthquake, an empty tomb, and a powerful angel saying, “He is risen!” 

The program was over but Easter continued on that day.  I went home to color Easter eggs with my brother..  That was the year that Mama drew a picture of the cross and the empty tomb in the icing on a cake.  The message that filled our hearts was,  “He is risen!”

This Easter I will again attend sunrise service.  As the sun rises in the sky, I will again be reminded, “He is risen!”  It is an awesome thought to know that the same God who created the sunrise loves us and wants to live in our hearts.

May the SON rise in your heart this Easter.