EASTERTIDE/EASTER SEASON/PASCHAL TIME

Written by Rev. Dr. Waymon Dixon

Eastertide according to the revised liturgical calendar is the span of time from Easter to Pentecost. The candles which symbolize the humanity and divinity of Christ are lit throughout this season. They should not be higher than the cross. This corresponds to our understanding of the importance of the resurrection to Christian Faith. The lighted candles also symbolize the fire that brought light to the tomb at the very moment of the resurrection of Christ. The Paraments or altar cloths and vestments are white during Eastertide. Gold may also be used. Acts of the Apostles, replacing The Old Testament scripture, should be read each Sunday during this special season. The Gospel of John should accompany the Acts reading. The Seven Sundays of Easter are numbered: Second Sunday of Easter (which is Low Sunday), Third Sunday of Easter, Fourth Sunday of Easter, on until the Day of Pentecost. On Pentecost Sunday, the color is red which symbolizes the fire of the Holy Ghost.

Easter Sunday itself is the central day of the church year. The Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, after their theological assertion of Easter faith, examined every aspect of Jesus’ life on earth. Mark began with Jesus’ Baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Luke and Matthew reflected upon his birth, but John looked further into the nature of Christ’s divinity in reflecting upon Jesus’ transcendence of the space time continuum itself through Logos Theology: "In the beginning was the word and the word was God and the word was with God" (John 1:1). It is in the imaginative shadow cast by Easter that we understand the humanity and divinity of Christ. The Easter moment is the organizing principle of the liturgical calendar. Easter gave birth to Christmas. The winter solstice in which we celebrate Christmas is nine months after the spring equinox in which we observe Easter. We understand Christ’s birth in the light of Christ’s passion and resurrection. Easter, not Christmas, is the oldest and most important day of the Church. Easter is the story of the Apostle Peter’s reflection on Mary Magdalene’s witness to the Son who arose at sunrise: ”Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (St. Matthew 28:10/NIV)

May I suggest the following Liturgy for an Easter Sunrise Candlelight Service: A small fire should be lit beyond the Church. This symbolizes the fire of Christ that emerged from the empty tomb. The pastor should light the Paschal Candle from the Fire and lead the congregation carrying unlit candles into the church. The Pastor will light the candles on the altar and then light the candles of the members from his or her candle. This should be timed perfectly to coincide with daybreak. After the Easter Gospel is read, the lights of the church may be turned on. Using the A. M. E. Hymnal as a source, “Christ The Lord Is Risen Today” by Charles Wesley and Isaac Watts’ great hymn, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” may be sung as the Hymn of Praise and the Hymn of Preparation, respectively. Sing the African American Spiritual, “He Arose” for the Call to Christian Discipleship.

For further reading on this topic I suggest Protestant Worship: Traditions in Transition by James F. White, Planning the Church Year by Leonel L. Mitchell and The Oxford History of Christian Worship by Geoffrey Wainwright and Karen B. Westerfield Tucker. Happy Easter!