This is the Night...

The strife is o'er, the battle done.

The victory of life is won.

The song of triumph has begun.

Alleluia!

Tonight is the Easter Vigil, one of the most beautiful services in the Episcopal Church's liturgical calendar. To me, this is like one of those evenings where you gather with friends and family and you share the stories that tie the common bonds that you have... that make you friends and family. Such is the Easter Vigil... which retraces our history through our Jewish ancestry and the God who never gave up on us, even though--boy--did we pose a challenge!

And, for us of the Christian faith, we are preparing to receive the best gift that could ever be given us: Christ resurrected... a testimony that light will always shine through the darkness... life will always overcome death... Good Friday will become Easter.

The powers of death have done their worst,

but Christ their legions hath dispersed:

let shout of holy joy outburst.

Alleluia!