There’s something truly magical about springtime in the Pacific Northwest. It’s a time when nature comes alive—the trees budding, the daffodils, and spring flowers proudly displaying their beauty. For me, it’s more than just a season; it’s a profound reminder of the incredible gift our Savior bestowed upon us.
As I reflect on this past week, my mind drifts to memories of Passion Week. As a child, I eagerly anticipated the excitment of Palm Sunday, the reflection of Good Friday, and the jubilation of Easter morning, starting with our church’s sunrise service amidst the backdrop of nature’s awakening in the little garden behind our church. I can still vividly recall sitting in the pew, listening intently as our pastor recounted the timeless passages of Scripture, each word resonating deep within my soul.
Of all the services, Good Friday and Easter morning held a special place in my heart. Even before I fully grasped the significance of Christ’s sacrifice, there was something about those gatherings that stirred my spirit year after year.
Following the sunrise service, our congregation would come together for a simple yet meaningful breakfast, complete with boiled eggs and my mother’s heavenly hot cross buns—a tradition she lovingly upheld each year. The aroma of those buns still lingers in my memory, a testament to her culinary gifts and devotion to our church community. 
Saturdays were spent preparing the sanctuary and adorning it with Easter lilies, a labor of love in anticipation of the joyous day to come.
The hymns we sang during those services remain etched in my mind. On Good Friday, “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord” echoed through the sanctuary, its haunting melody leaving a lasting impression on my young heart. And on Easter Sunday, as we celebrated the Resurrection, we joyfully sang “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” “Up From the Grave He Arose,” and “He Lives,” their triumphant lyrics echoing within me.
Years passed, and life took its course, but the memories of those cherished services remained etched in my heart. It wasn’t until I met my future husband during my college years that the true significance of Easter became clear to me. Mel’s simple question—”Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?”—ignited a spiritual awakening within me, forever changing the trajectory of my life.
Today, as I journey through another Passion Week, I am reminded anew of the depth of my Savior’s love. While I may have missed attending Good Friday and Sunrise services in recent years, I am filled with anticipation at the prospect of experiencing the solemn beauty of a Service of Tenebrae on Good Friday—a new tradition in my newfound church community.
As I eagerly await this year’s observance, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to participate in these sacred services, each one drawing me closer to the heart of the One who willingly gave His life so that we may experience eternal life. And who knows? Perhaps next year, I’ll once again find myself basking in the glow of a sunrise service, celebrating the dawn of a new day filled with hope and redemption. 
Resurrection Sunday! Hallelujah, the tomb is empty! Praise His Holy and Glorious Name!
As we rejoice in the miracle of Christ’s Resurrection, let us not confine our celebration to one day of the year. Let us instead embrace the reality of His victory over sin and death each and every day of our lives. For His sacrifice was not limited to a single moment in time but continues to reverberate throughout eternity.
I encourage you, dear reader, to celebrate His Resurrection daily—not merely on Resurrection Sunday. 
For in His death and Resurrection, He paid a debt we could never repay, He broke the chains of sin that bound us, He restored what was lost, and He continues to transform us each day. The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the grave now resides within each one of His followers, empowering us to overcome the challenges we face and to live victoriously.
Let us hold fast to the truth of 1 John 4:4, which declares, “Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.” 
With this assurance, may we live boldly, confidently, and joyfully, knowing that we serve a risen Savior whose love knows no bounds.
Hallelujah!
The Lord is risen indeed!
