In Memory of Easters Past

After my mother married my wicked stepfather-the-refrocked-minister, Easter was no longer a time of hunting for colored eggs in the bushes and biting ears off chocolate bunnies ... Easter became a time to sit in hard wooden pews, deliberating on the cruelty of nailing a man to a cross and the terrible sadness of the two Marys.

In particular, I remember 3 pm on Good Friday as usually being a stormy March or April afternoon, befitting thoughts of a desolate hill with three crosses and the certainty that humans had certainly made the biggest mistake possible that time (how young I was).

And I remember the weight lifting on that Sunday morning, my new dress, lacy white anklets and mary janes ... and the joy of standing with everyone else in the middle of the service to belt out this (still) favorite Methodist hymn by Charles Wesley.

The absolute best line? Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

To all who celebrate it, Happy Easter!


Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!