Sunday, April 24, 2011

SUNRISE…SON RISE

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!


Today's glorious sunrise lights another Easter morning, shining triumphantly on the most holy and important day in all Christendom. Without Easter, Christianity would be just another fairytale, an old narrative about a poor carpenter's son who grew up to preach a gospel of love for all mankind. A teacher and healer who was nailed to a cross, tortured unto death, and whose body was then prepared for burial and placed in a borrowed tomb, where the entrance was sealed by a great stone.


End of story…? No! On the third day the stone was rolled away! Easter celebrates the resurrection of Christ from the tomb, the conquering of life over death. Easter is God's promise fulfilled, sealed in blood, extended through grace. And regardless of the weather, Easter is the most beautiful and joyous day of the year. 


He is risen! 


He is risen, indeed!


Happy Easter!
———————

22 comments:

Bernie said...

The most beautiful day of the year. He is Alive......Many blessings......:-)Hugs

The Solitary Walker said...

And a Happy Easter to you too, Grizz. Beautiful morning here. The UK's warmest Easter for 100 years, and that's official.

Julie Baumlisberger said...

I'm just getting ready for our sunrise service this morning. What a glorious post this morning...Happy Easter, Grizz, to you, your Lady Love, and all your river denizens!

KathyB. said...

I love the way you wrote this, you are so right, without the Resurrection our faith is meaningless. Praise Him !

Grizz………… said...

Bernie…

Indeed it is! Happy Easter! He is risen!

Grizz………… said...

Solitary…

About 15˚C here (59˚F) and cloudy, with thunder rumbles off in the distance. But a beautiful vernal morning here, nevertheless.

Happy Easter, my friend. And many blessings.

Grizz………… said...

Julie…

Thank you. I hope you had sunshine for your service—but no matter, the real triumph of Light over over darkness has long ago been made with that first Easter Son-rise.

Happy Easter, and all the best to you and yours.

Grizz………… said...

KathyB…

"Because He lives…" as the lovely old song says, our hope eternal is vindicated. Easter's resurrection of Christ is the hinge-point, the reason and justification.

Happy Easter!

He is risen, indeed!

The Weaver of Grass said...

On this most joyous day of the year, a Happy Easter to you too Grizz.

George said...

Happy Easter, Grizz, and thanks for the lovely photos and words. Here on the Chesapeake, the day was custom made for Easter — splendid sunshine and the woods in full bloom with dogwood, redbuds, and the other gifts of spring.

Gail said...

HI GRIZZ-

the promise of the risen Christ sustains and promises hope.
Beautiful pictures Grizz - breathtaking.

Love to you and yours and Happy Blessed Easter
Gail
peace and hope for us all

Grizz………… said...

Weaver…

Thank you—and happy Easter in return! I hope you enjoyed your warm, sunny day. We had mostly clouds here, but the temperature was pretty nice.

Grizz………… said...

George…

Gray, mostly overcast here. A few light sprinkles early and late, but at least most of the day was dry and in low-60s, for those attending church and the kids having their Easter egg hunts. The redbuds and dogwoods are blooming wildly here, too, and look wonderful against certain low hills covered in cedars—but I'll have little chance for photos until Friday, which is said to be our first dry day of the week.

Thank you for your kind words. May peace and blessing be yours this Easter.

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

I hope you had a lovely Easter. We went to church with my daughter, son-in-law, and fellow father-in-law, then had a great lunch at her place with some friends, and a long visit afterwards.

Thank you, as always, for your comments and friendship. Happy Easter. He is risen, indeed!

Hildred said...

Beautiful posting, - the hymn is magnificent - He is risen, indeed!

Grizz………… said...

Hildred and Charles…

One of my favorite Easter hymns, for sure. I love so many of the old hymn—for their beautiful music, the poetry of their lyrics, and the unwavering message therein.

Happy Easter! He is risen, indeed!

Freda said...

Evocative photo for the most special day. Every Easter Blessing to you and yours.

Grizz………… said...

Freda...

Thank you. I hope you had a wonderful Easter. Blessings to you and yours.

Kelly said...

Hope you had a wonderful Easter, Grizz!

Grizz………… said...

Kelly…

I did, thank you. Happy Easter and many blessings to you and your family.

Mike Whittemore said...

Wow, beautiful shot! I have a similar shot a few posts pack on my blog as well. Found your blog through Kelly's. great stuff - keep it up!!

Grizz………… said...

Mike…

Hey, thank you…and welcome to the riverbank. I glad you found your way over here from Kelly's lovely blog. And pleased you liked what you saw. Visit and comment as often as you like—we'd love yo have you.

I took a look at your blog and enjoyed it. I've signed up as a "follower" and added your link to my favorites list.

I love the southeastern hill country. I've spent countless days there—camping, fishing, hunting, and just rambling around in the woods. I look forward to reading a lot more of your posts…and I really enjoy your photography.

Again, welcome. Don't be a stranger!