I love springtime. I love how the sun begins to shine a little brighter; how the birds begin to sing their morning melodies; how the azaleas bring vibrant color and sweet aroma to our southern coast. Springtime in northwest Florida seems to exude its own kind of brilliance, as spring breakers and locals alike, swarm the sandy beaches and let the waves wash away the winter blues. The warmth, the beauty, and the fragrance of spring is nothing short of magical—yet the true magic of the season is birthed from the springtime holiday we call “Easter.”
According to Time Magazine, “The English word Easter comes from an older German word for east, which comes from an even older Latin word for dawn. In spring, dawn marks the beginning of days that will outlast the nights, and those dawns erupt in the east.” Did you catch that? “Days that will outlast the nights?” I like to think that this phrase may be claimed both literally and figuratively. How many of us are ready for days that will outlast our nights?
I look around and take notice of those who have been stuck in a season of long nights—nights that seem too dark, too lonely, too scary; nights that seem to last forever, with no morning in sight. These “nights” are spelled cancer, divorce, lay-offs, infertility, infidelity, heartbreak, miscarriage, death, depression, abuse, addiction, loss…hopelessness. Yet, Easter is coming: a season of days lasting longer than nights; a season of rebirth, renewal, revival, and hope is just around the corner.
The Christian holiday, Easter, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Those who walked the earth with Jesus, his friends, his family, and his followers, were heartbroken at his crucifixion, death, and burial. It must have been the darkest two nights of their lives, as their hope for a savior seemed to be forever locked away in tomb. Yet, just around the corner, Easter arrived! The resurrection of their savior brought victory over death and the promise of days that would indeed, forever outlast the night.
May this spring remind you of new beginnings and second chances, and may this Easter fill you, too, with lasting daybreak.