He is risen! Alleluia!

A comment on last week’s post requested a guide to help keep the Easter feast. What a great idea! Hopefully, we’ll have something formal to offer next year, but for the rest of this season, here’s a list of some ideas that popped into my head:

• Read through Philippians regularly for the fifty days, paying attention to all the times “joy” and “rejoice” are mentioned. (It’s short, so consider reading all of it daily, but just a chapter a day would do, too. By the end of the fifty days, you’ll have an intimate knowledge of the letter!)
• Think about things that are life-giving to you (knitting; sleeping; eating chocolate; walking; spending time with a friend; etc.). Make a little time each day to do a bit of that, and do it joyfully!
• What is something you gave up for Lent? Consider adding that back, at least once a week. When you partake, do it with intentional celebration and awareness of the joy of the resurrection.
• Regularly listen to a favorite piece of music. It doesn’t necessarily have to be “sacred” or “Christian,” but it should be something that helps your spirit rejoice—and offer that rejoicing to God.
• Dance! In whatever way you can!
• Get a party horn or some bubbles and blow them every morning in remembrance of life defeating death.
• Drink a glass of sparkling cider with breakfast during the season, toasting to the risen Jesus.
• Write some poetry, do a craft, paint a picture, color in a coloring book—anything to creatively express joy for the gift of eternal life in Christ.
• Go for walks in places of beauty, imagining that Jesus is walking with you as he did the disciples on the Emmaus Road, offering rejoicing to God for God’s presence and life.
• Create a lovely setting of flowers for your home once a week.
• If you’re financially able, drop off (or otherwise send) a few small, anonymous gifts at the homes of people you love, and also at the homes of a few people who cause you consternation.
• Get together with friends and family, and bless them with a story from your relationship that brings you joy when you think of it.
• Watch a TV show or video, or read a book or article, or just think of a funny story that makes you laugh. Enjoy that laughter as a gift from God, and remember that it reflects joy at the defeat of death and the devil at the Cross. Resurrection means God is the one who has the last laugh!

What are some of your favorite ways to celebrate? Alleluia! Let’s joyfully keep the feast together!