Our Greatest Celebration

So, how can we learn to live as wide-awake people, as Easter people?… We ought to shout Alleluias instead of murmuring them; we should light every candle in the building instead of some… [Easter week] ought to be an eight-day festival, with champagne served after morning prayer… We should be taking steps to celebrate Easter in creative new ways: in art, literature, children’s games, poetry, music, dance, festivals, bells, special concerts, anything that comes to mind. This is our greatest festival.

I do believe that N.T. Wright is on to something. If Jesus is risen from the dead, we should be celebrating in a big way on Easter morning! Thinking forward to next weekend, I’d love to hear your fresh ideas on how to celebrate the Resurrection (particularly with kids) in a way that’s truly, well, celebratory. Here is the beginnings of a list, but please add to it in the comments!

Serve champagne or sparkling juice for breakfast during Easter week
Light every candle that you own
Make or buy a “He Is Risen” banner to display in your home
Ring bells and proclaim to one another that Christ is risen
Give gifts to encourage spiritual growth (books, music, retreats, etc)
Create a joyful Easter playlist and play it frequently
Feast on rich or traditional foods and make decadent desserts
Read books that tell the beautiful truth about the empty tomb
Have a potluck feast at church or with friends during Easter week
Attend an Easter Vigil on Saturday night before Easter (if you’ve never been to one, you’re missing out! Make sure to bring some bells!)