December 23, 2024

Easter is a time to celebrate new life, including baby bunnies, baby deer and a continuous parade of new blossoms. The best reason to celebrate is Christ our Risen Savior and the new life that He has provided for us.

Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays. I remember getting a new Easter dress for church. If I was lucky I got a new pair of shoes, and a nice new Easter bonnet. White gloves completed the fashion ensemble. The holiday included a big feast with ham and lots of other goodies and family all around.

I also remember my mom playing the song Easter Parade on the record player and singing along. I joined in too, singing at the top of my little lungs.

Come to think of it, Easter is just about the perfect time and reason to have a parade and celebrate. Easter brings focus back to the reason for our faith, and core beliefs: Jesus Christ crucified on the cross for the atonement of our sin and all of humanity. Next comes Christ’s victory over death on the first Easter. What a glorious day. Hallelujah, His tomb is empty and He lives.

Hallelujah, we can praise the Lord and celebrate this momentous season of new life. We have a reason to worship and adorn ourselves with a garment of praise.

Scriptures

Romans 3:23-26 New International Version (NIV)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[a] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

1 Chronicles 16:31 Amplified Bible (AMP)
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
And let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”

Isaiah 61:3 New International Version (NIV)
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.

Today’s Glory

Come away, my Beloved and enter into My glorious presence. Draw close to Me in your garment of praise for all I have done for you and all the world. Rejoice in My name which is above all names. As you make My praise glorious I will fill your heart to overflowing. Rejoice and be glad.

© 2019, Nanette M. Holloway, All Rights Reserved