BZZZ BZZZ BZZZ what is that buzzing I hear I thought this AM at 4:45 AM when my alarm clock went off. It was quiet outside and foggy when I got up in the dark.
I showered and shaved, fed the dog, and went to get my cup of coffee at work before I headed to church for the Easter Vigil Service which starts at 6 AM. I was reading this AM the second reading from Isaiah.
The roads were clear and not much traffic and I made great time driving listening to Bluegrass Gospel on WNCW. People were parking and walking into church and the choir had been there for awhile practicing.
The church was in darkness but the smell from the flowers was delicious and magical. Black veils covered all the crosses and icons and the flowers as the service started in complete darkness except for the ambient light from the streets. We all have our little hand held candles in their little plastic holders. I think they have a name but I can't remember it right now. The pascal candle is lit with a prayer and then carried into the church and everyone lights their candles from their neighbors candles as it processes down the aisle. Incense is burning and the smell competes with the smell of flowers.
Now the church is lit by 120 or so hand held candles as the readings begin and there are canticles and prayers in between the readings. I am second and I go to the lectern clutching my candle and my sheet of paper with my reading on it. I put on my reading glasses and I gaze out over the congregation and see the lights from their candles. It is magical and wonderful.
I read and if I must say so I read beautifully and then I go back to my seat. There is the wonderful reading about Ezekiel and the Dry Bones and then all chaos breaks loose as the Alleluia is restored to the congregation after being buried for the 40 days of Lent. We all ring bells that we have brought with us or noisemakers or rattle car keys, or African wooden camel bells and the children are invited into the sacristy to ring the Church steeple bell loudly and long. What do the neighbors think? It is Easter and Christ is risen indeed Alleluia! Magic and wonderful at the same time. Death has been conquered and it is wonderful.
None of us has to fear death as so often happens in our lives. Death is not necessarily a bad thing and it is resurrection. The sermon was wonderful and the service was great.
Breakfast followed in the parish hall with lots of hot coffee. It ran out 3 or 4 times I think!
So then it was a time to talk and be with others in the community and share stories of Easter and basketball and others stuff as the children grew anxious for the Easter Egg Hunt which due to the weather was held upstairs organized by one of the senior high school students. Chaos reigned again as the children raced upstairs to find their eggs and then back downstairs with huge smiles on their faces to show off their booty to the adults.
Lots of eggs for lots of happy smiling children.
Then home and the Charlotte Sunday paper and more coffee and an afternoon of relaxing and reading and naps and then here to work for awhile to write in my Blog and check up on JUB happenings
I hope your day was a good one no matter what you did. It's all good and I wish the best for each of you.
peace to all now and always
