Easter Sunday
Lenten Highlights, Readings and Resources for Your Family this Easter Week
Happy Easter! This is by far one of my most favorite icons from church history. Icons have become mostly associated with the Orthodox churches, but Anglican and Catholic churches have also begun using them once more within their meeting places, and it warms my heart to see.
If you don’t know anything about icons, it’s first imperative to know that they must be approved, are referred to as being “written” not painted, and are heavy on theology and less on the historicity of an image.
The idea of an icon is to teach the right doctrine that must be accepted for that event in the story of God’s church. Thus, you will find that even the littlest details have a meaning. To dig deep into an icon and all its depicted pieces is to launch into a serious game of Finding Waldo, or Eye Spy, theology edition.
In this icon, Christ is in the center of the piece, as he ought to be the center of our attention and lives at all times. He stands upon golden bars which are the gates of Hades, or Hell, which he has trampled down in his victory. He pulls a man and a woman from their tombs, who are shown to have haloes. It’s important to note that haloes are only given in icons to people who are suddenly understanding the truth of Christ. This particular man and woman are Adam and Eve, and Christ is depicted lifting them from their deaths to eternal life, undoing the damages they helped usher in for mankind.
Jesus is wrapped all about by a blue shape of light, which is the Mandorla, representing his eternal, uncreated existence and light. He wears white for his divinity and resurrection in this icon, while in others he is always depicted wearing a blue robe over a red tunic, symbolizing his divinity wrapped in his humanity.
Lectionary Readings:
Ex 14:10-14 & 21-31, Ps 118:14-17 & 22-24, Col 3:1-4, John 20:1-10(11-18)
Hymn for Easter:
Christ the Lord is Risen Today
Lyrics may be found here.
Catechism Question (ACNA Catechism, To Be a Christian #58):
What does the union of Jesus’ two natures teach you about his ministry?
All Jesus does as a human being he also does as God. His human works and deeds are saving because they are the words and deeds of God the Son.
Memory Verse:
“He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” MATTHEW 28:6
Enjoyed the ability to worship together as a family with set readings and prayers? You might just enjoy using Family Prayer, and the Daily Offices from the ACNA 2019 BCP. There is a free PDF version here, or you can purchase a hard copy here. The Daily Office 2019 website offers a free digital web and app version of only the Daily Offices/Family Prayers.
Morning and Evening Prayer
IN THE MORNING
OPENING SCRIPTURE
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. COLOSSIANS 3:1
PSALM OF THE DAY
PSALM 118:14-17
The Lord is my strength and my song, * and has become my salvation. The voice of joy and deliverance is in the dwellings of the righteous; * the right hand of the Lord brings mighty things to pass. The right hand of the Lord is exalted; * the right hand of the Lord brings mighty things to pass. I shall not die, but live, * and declare the works of the Lord
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
A READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
COLOSSIANS 3:1-4
THE LORD’S PRAYER is said aloud by all who are present.
THE COLLECT FOR EASTER DAY
O God, who for our redemption gave your only begotten Son to die upon the Cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the devil and the power of death: Grant us grace to die daily to sin, that we may live with him in the joy of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
IN THE EVENING
OPENING SCRIPTURE
Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:57
PSALM OF THE DAY
PSALM 118:22-24
The same stone which the builders refused * has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, * and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; * we will rejoice and be glad in it
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
A READING FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE
But 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. Come, see the place where he lay.” MATTHEW 28:5-6
THE LORD’S PRAYER is said aloud by all who are present.
THE COLLECT FOR EASTER DAY
O God, who for our redemption gave your only begotten Son to die upon the Cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the devil and the power of death: Grant us grace to die daily to sin, that we may live with him in the joy of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.