The day of great rejoicing has arrived! Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior has risen from the dead. The temple that was torn down was rebuilt in three days time and is now the cornerstone of our faith and Church.

Here again are consoling and wonderful bookends joined to a day of great rejoicing.

It was night time. There was a chill in the air and a slight dew on the grass in the fields. It was quiet save the faint chewing sound the sheep made as the grazed in a cluster not too far off from the shepherds.

Perhaps they made small talk. Better yet, they were close friends and engaged in serious dialogue concerning their anxieties and fears of the times. Everything appeared as it did most every night except tonight would be different,

An angel of the Lord shone around them and the glory of the Lord shone around them…and the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising god and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!

(St. Luke 2:8-14)

Angels heralded the Good News of Jesus’ birth. And so it is that Angels herald the Good News of Jesus’ Resurrection.

It was the first day of the week. It was early, while it was still dark. There was a chill in the air and dew on the grass. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulcher and

Behold there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and say upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his raiment white as snow…the angel said to the women,

“Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said.”

(St. Matthew 28:1-5)

And so it is with great rejoicing that we celebrate Christ’s victory over the grave! Christ’s Victory for Us to share in redemption and Heaven. Let us choose the Standard of Christ and sing with glorious cries, Hallelujah! Glory and Praise to Christ our Savior!