Here we are, a year after the pandemic was first declared, and we’re planning for another Holy Week and Easter at home. I never imagined this pandemic life without church would continue for an entire year and I’m deeply saddened by the thought of another Easter at home. I hope this is the last time in my life that I am separated from church in this way.
Easter is my favorite day of the entire year. Not necessarily because of the celebration, but because of the quiet that happens just before. Easter is all about mystery. About stillness and quietness. About the beauty of wonder.
Growing up, my Mom would wake us up SUPER early, bundle us up, and take us to our church’s outdoor sunrise service. I'll never forget the way we walked into the wooded sanctuary in the dark of the morning, the wonder I felt when I heard the Magnificat sung, and the majesty of the sun rising just as we were remembering our baptism and partaking in Holy Communion. Then we'd eat an amazing breakfast at church, prepared by my favorite people that were like grandparents to me. After breakfast, my family, and my best friend’s, would stay at church to get ready for the festival service. From the brass choir to the Gospel processional with banners and torches, this Easter service was a true celebration of the primary tenant of our faith—Christ is risen from the dead.
Every year, once I was in my Easter dress, I'd sneak into the dark and quiet Sanctuary where I was blown away by the smell of fresh flowers from the flower cross and the potted flowers around the altar. Even as a young child, I'd sit in the pew quietly, just for a moment or two alone. I needed those moments of quiet, those moments of mystery, so that I could fully appreciate the fanfare that was to come.
Easter was the defining moment of my faith as a child. Not because of the fanfare—but because of the stillness and the mystery that came before it. That quiet sanctuary filled with flowers remains my most vivid Easter memory, even now, as an adult.
I've had a hard time as a parent finding ways to recreate that same stillness and mystery for my own children, but last year offered us an opportunity to do just that. We woke them up SUPER early, bundled them up, and headed to the beach to watch the sunrise. And we discovered that even in the midst a pandemic, the stillness and mystery still happens. Christ is still risen.
Although Easter last year was one we will never forget, it didn’t have the same majesty that Easter should have. The quiet and stillness are most powerful when the fanfare comes next. The stillness feels like wandering until you’ve experienced the celebration that comes at the end.
Last year I put together some ideas for how to make Palm Sunday and Holy Week special when we can’t celebrate in-person together. The words I wrote then feel even more relevant today. Our church isn’t quite ready to worship together yet—even masked and outside—so it will be another Easter at home. Last year was a unique experience—one we worked hard to see the beauty in—but the reality is Easter was an incredibly hard day. Although we watched worship on our computer, it felt less like Easter than just another day in what was to become a very long pandemic life. We tried to celebrate at home, but the truth is I was a teary mess the entire day. I am feeling a deep sense of grief over another Easter without my church community, while at the same time remaining hopeful that by summer we can gather together in celebration once again.
This year, our church is offering drive-through Communion, and I am beyond excited to receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ for the first time in over a year. It has been far too long, and Easter will be momentous and special for Holy Communion alone. It will be a true remembrance that nothing can keep Jesus in the tomb.
Although the last thing we want to do is celebrate another Easter at home, we’ve learned that marking these occasions together can be special memories, and that God most certainly shows up. Here are some of our ideas for how to make your Easter Weekend special and meaningful, even if you—like us—won’t be able to gather with your church community or family and friends.
Holy Saturday
Decorate
Spend the morning decorating your house for Easter. We turn our mantel into an altar for Holy Week, and on Holy Saturday we will decorate it with twinkly lights and vases of flowers from our yard or neighborhood. I’m not sure what will have blooming here in New England—Easter seems early this year—but usually we can find a few daffodils and forsythia branches. Last year a friend bought me flowers for my Easter mantel and I may continue the tradition by purchasing a bouquet or two for myself. We’ll also hang our Alleluia banner—we used these letters—and the flower cross we created last year.
Easter Sunday
Watch the Sunrise
The best part of Easter Sunday last year was waking up early to watch the sun rise. The location that we chose wasn’t the best place to see the sun rising over the water, so we’ll scope out a different location this year. Beginning the tradition of waking my kids up early, when it’s still dark, and driving to a secluded location to watch the sunrise was perhaps the greatest gift of being forced to celebrate Easter at home. This is something we will continue for the rest of our years.
Read the Easter Story
I like to do this while we’re waiting for the sunrise because it is a great conversation starter while you’re sitting in the stillness. What do you think it felt like to discover the empty tomb? My favorite version of the story comes from Matthew 28. It beautifully captures the mix of emotions that the women felt when they discovered the empty tomb.
Dress Up
Everything feels a little more special if you wear your nicest clothes. When we go to celebratory affairs, we dress up. You may be at home on Easter morning, but treat yourself to a nice outfit for the day. It might help you feel a little better about having nowhere to go.
Participate in Online Worship
It seems like a no brainer to attend worship on Easter, in whatever way you can. But the reality is online worship is not something that feels celebratory, and it’s something we many times avoid. Communal worship is important on Easter though, even if we don’t feel like it, because it reminds us that our faith is bigger than the four walls around our house. Worshiping with your church community, even if it’s just through Zoom, can help us remember that God remains with us no matter what, and that this too shall pass.
Have an Egg Hunt
Last year David and I hid eggs for the girls, but this year we’re considering inviting a few friends over for a masked egg hunt. We know enough about the virus this year to know it’s likely not going to pass through surfaces, and you can have hand sanitizer available for everyone to use before and after the hunt. If you take precautions in filling eggs and limit the hiding so that only one person is touching them, you can be fairly confident that you’re having a safe and fun event. We are still limited in MA as to how many people we can have gather in our yard, but even inviting one family over can make the day a little more special.
Make something special for dinner
Sharing special meals is one way we mark special days on our calendar. Easter is a time to make something you wouldn’t normally fix on an ordinary weeknight. I love this recipe for Lamb Chops or this one for Baked Ham, served with crispy potatoes and creamed greens. Or if you’re vegetarian, this Lemony Asparagus Risotto looks delicious, as does this Chickpea Salad and this Spring Panzanella. And don’t forget the deviled eggs!
However you celebrate Easter this year, may you find peace and beauty in the stillness and mystery of the day.