Easter Sunrise by Judy Boewe Lau

Easter Sunrise

“There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.  The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”

~Matthew 28:2-6

This little girl’s dream for Easter morn’ was always my new dress and bonnet.  It’s now over sixty years ago, yet I still remember it so vividly.  We lived in the country on a little farm &, although we didn't have much money, our home was filled with so much love.  It wasn’t easy for my mama, but she sewed and made all the clothes my sisters and I wore.  We would be up bright & early to go the Moravian Church Sunrise Service, which followed by a long walk to the cemetery.  We were always wearing our new Easter dresses and feeling so special.  What this little girl remembers most was the band playing “Up from the Grave He Arose”, while we all joined in with singing.

Truly, there are many Easter traditions that surround our lives, but the most precious one of all is that our children know why we celebrate.  I always looked forward to Easter morning!  All these years later, I treasure what was imparted to me as I stood in the grass at the Moravian church singing about our risen Savior.   He was alive, not in the grave any longer, & I knew that to be true!  I can only imagine the sheer excitement that Mary Magdalene had in Mathew 28:6 when the angel said to her “He is not hear, He has risen.”  As a little girl, & even now, I’m more excited to go worship Him on the morning He rose for me than any other!

I carried those same precious traditions I learned from my mother into my own home to celebrate Easter.  I can especially remember one Easter Sunday, as we all awoke to go to the early morning service at the Presbyterian Church.  My two boys were wearing their suits, while Judi Jo & I had on our new Easter bonnets.  As we were singing those wonderful songs from my childhood, I looked over at Judi Jo (age 5) and she had taken off her bonnet.  I whispered to her to find out why she had taken it off.  She whispered back, “You, me & the old lady over there are the only ones with a hat on & I just can’t do it.”  Needless to say, that was the end of the Easter bonnets for Judi Jo… she was never much for standing out in a crowd.

Truly, it’s not about what we are wearing, as many churches these days seem to be wearing their jeans.  It’s about a revelation in our hearts of the victory that took place on Easter morning.  It’s about the blood that was shed for you & for me, which brought us back to Him for all eternity.  You can bet I won’t be wearing my jeans to church this Easter & I may even find a bonnet, in honor of my dear mama.  What will matter the most, however, is that I’m singing about my risen Savior that I learned so long ago!  As for my mama, she is 88 years old today & you can be sure she will have on her bonnet.