For the first time in a very long time, I was able to attend an Easter morning sunrise service. We were at the beach and there was a service within walking distance. As we walked onto the beach with our six-year-old, I felt immediately at peace. The sun was rising over the ocean, people were gathering without much noise and without pretense.
It was a gathering of people searching for the light.
Without any prompting, our six-year-old found a stick and began to draw in the sand. My mind immediately went to the gospel text of Jesus doing the same and declaring that the one who has no sin may cast the first stone. As our six-year-old drew and erased, I thought about what a powerful reminder it is that all things can become new. Again and again, we make our way towards the revelation of the resurrection on Easter morning.
No matter what yesterday held or last year, here we are gathering in the morning light to remember that hope arises because death has been defeated. Thanks be to God, death and things falling apart is not the end of the story. It’s just the beginning of the miracle of new life.