Our Hope - Christ is Risen!
(From the April - June 2020 issue of VOX)
Christians across Ireland will be celebrating Easter in a very different way this year but the hope of the resurrection can bring comfort whatever we are facing. Here’s what you had to say in response to the question:
What does Easter mean to you?
The King of Kings died so that we could have life and have it to the full.
A contemplative reminder of Christ’s world-changing sacrifice, time with family, spring.
It’s a time to reflect on the sacrifice the Lord has made for me and everyone else.
Joy! The foundation of my faith that Jesus came back from death so everything He said and did is true - that gives freedom and forgiveness and hope for now and for after death.
For me Easter is the pinnacle of our faith. It is the time when we particularly focus our attention on the resurrection of our Saviour and celebrate all that He did for us! Of course this is something we should do all year round, but the Easter Weekend is just a time for extra reflection on His death and resurrection. It often pains me that my own church puts so much emphasis on Christmas, and yet Easter seems to slip past with barely a mention. “He is Risen” is surely a much more significant statement than “He has been born” We serve a Risen Saviour! Let’s shout that from the rooftops!
Easter is a time to celebrate resurrection, renewal, redemption and hope in Jesus. It’s a time to think of spring, new life and how we are renewed in Jesus.
It means that the great enemies, death and sin, are defeated and we will live forever in Christ. It means liberty, joy and grace.
As my Coptic Orthodox friends say, it’s the foundation of my faith [they puzzle as to why our society makes such a fuss of Christmas]. I especially love our Churches Together Dawn Service on a headland and watching the sun come up over the horizon.
Reminding myself afresh of the heart of the faith and the fact that we serve a living Christ.
The pivot of history and foundation of life itself.
A special time to remember the central part of the Gospel story, Jesus death and resurrection.
Tangible proof that we can rely on everything Jesus taught and did. That death no longer has the final say. And that the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead lives within me.
The joy and liberation of Jesus’ resurrection. Because He died I am forgiven and can know God. I absolutely love the bit about the temple curtain being ripped by God. He did it all. He made the way and I get to live in resurrection power!
It is the central event of all history: the triumph of Jesus and hope of eternal life for all of us.
An annual reminder that new beginnings are part of God’s plan.
Easter means hope in life’s dark corners - freedom from sin and death.
Your favourite Easter Worship Songs and Hymns
According to our recent survey most VOX readers enjoy celebrating with both traditional hymns and modern worship songs. Thankfully we have access to wonderful sing-a-long versions of these worship songs and more online. And all of us can lift our voice in praise at home (especially when no one is listening!) even if we don’t have musical accompaniment.
Your top three Easter Hymns are:
Thine be the Glory (24%)
Great is Thy Faithfulness (16%)
Crown Him with Many Crowns (14%)
And your favourite modern worships songs/hymns for Easter are:
In Christ Alone (38%)
Because He Lives (11%)
Before the Throne of God Above (9%)
O Praise the Name and See What a Morning were both close runners up!
