The Best Day of the Year

I don't think there is a better day in a year than Easter Sunday.  Going back to when I was a child - there was something very special about that day.  The singing of favorite hymns like "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today," "Because He Lives" or the classic, "Up from the Grave He Arose." Those hymns are still songs that I love.  When I was young, it always seemed I had to wear a suit that day, which made it more "special" - and I didn't seem to mind it back then (I'm sure I despise dressing up more today than I ever used to). The church "felt" different... probably they decorated special for Easter, but I didn't notice that in particular. I just knew it "felt" different.  My parents did the Easter basket and candy (I still love the speckled Easter egg malted milk balls), but ultimately, it was ALL about Jesus rising from the dead. There was no doubt about that. Resurrection Sunday doesn't fight with the commercialism of Christmas.  There are less distractions...  Less confusion...  Less competition crowding out Jesus (it's just a bunny and candy - not Santa, presents, trees, decorations, music, etc...)

As an adult, Resurrection Sunday means even more to me.  It was the day that my salvation was settled - even 2000 years before I was born. It was the most dramatic moment in the history of the universe - even more dramatic than the creation of the world.  And I still "feel" something different on Easter Sunday. 

I have a tradition that I've done for about 12 or 13 years.  Every Easter Sunday - first thing in the morning - I get in my office and blast "Arise, My Love" by Newsong.  It is one of my favorite songs of all time.  It is a song that matches to "mood" of Resurrection Sunday.  I still have the CD and pull it out once a year.  Have you ever heard the song?  You can see it on www.youtube.com.  Just click HERE to watch a video of the song on Easter Sunday.  Put in the headphones, crank the volume, and worship the Risen King!  I played it loud this morning in my office.  I hope I didn't wake the Nelsons up on the 3rd floor...