Son Rise

"Wake up, baby, it's time to get dressed," she spoke softly to the sleeping child.

"Momma, I don't want to get up."

"Come on sweetie, I'll help you get dressed."

Lifting the heavy limbs of the child she helped her up, washed her face, combed her hair, and put on her new clothes. She and her sister shuffled toward the car and their dad finally carried them out the door and gently settled them for the ride to church.

"Daddy, the sun isn't even up. Why do we have to go to church so early?"

"To celebrate, baby. Put your head down and sleep while we pick up you grandma. I'll wake you when we get there. Here, hold your Easter basket and your new bunny," she said as he settled the two girls in the back seat.

Soon they arrived at the little country church. Rubbing the sleep from their eyes, they went in as a family and found their seats. Other family also came in to the shadowed building. The entrance doors, which faced east, had been left open and the chill morning had them all huddling together for warmth.

When everyone was settled, they began to sing softly: "Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior, waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!"

Then in loud voices: "Up from the grave he arose; with a mighty triumph o'er his foes; he arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever, with his saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!"

As they continued through the soft verses, followed by the loud refrain the girls became excited . . . animated. By the time they finished singing the sun had risen and was bursting the darkness with light through the open doors. Sunlight pierced the darkness and warm rays of the sun filled them all with hope.

Soon the early morning service was complete. Children poured out onto the lawn of the church finding eggs and other treasures hidden around the church. Their dads watched them play as their mothers fixed a breakfast fit for kings. Before long everyone in their new Eater clothes had gathered and were eating the wonderful offerings and admiring the treasures held in their baskets. Filling the sanctuary once more, they thanked God for the gift of life and grace.

As they loaded into the car once more, the young girl asked her parents why they had to go to church so early that day--couldn't they at least wait until the sun was up?

Sometimes, it takes the still, quiet of the night . . . when all is dark . . . when all feels lost for us to appreciate the gift of light. When the dark is pierced by the early sun we can begin to find our way . . . to see the path that was hidden in the dark . . . to warm with hope . . . to find joy once again.

This is the message of Easter. No matter how dark everything may seem; no matter how hopeless one feels; no matter how we may have failed; God has provision . . . a way . . . a plan . . . grace to fill our lives. As the Son rises, all will be made clear--faith, hope, and love abide within our hearts as surely as the sunrise to fill us with God's gift.

Celebratory God, when we are so full of doubt and fear, wandering in the darkness of despair we cling to the faith that you are there, with us, guiding us, and will bring us to the light of day. Open our hearts and minds so that we may see the glorious Son Rise filling us with hope, with grace, and with love. Teach us your ways. Pierce the darkness of our unbelief with the dawn of faith. So be it. Amen.