Champagne in the morning
A few years ago a friend showed me this passage from from NT Wright’s book, Surprised by Hope:
[Easter] ought to be an eight-day festival, with champagne served after morning prayer or even before, with lots of alleluias and extra hymns and spectacular anthems. Is it any wonder people find it hard to believe in the resurrection of Jesus if we don’t throw our hats in the air?
- Surprised by Hope, p. 256
Champagne served with morning prayers seems fitting.
For me, Easter is by far the most personal holiday of the year. It is the day that separates my faith from all other religions. My Jesus is raised from the dead. To some this sounds bizarre, uber-religious, fanatical. I know it does, and I can’t claim something different than that. It is a strange thing to declare that the purpose of my life is to follow someone who died 2000 years ago and came back from the dead 3 days later. Just writing this makes me feel like I’m drafting some bizarre tale from the crypt.
But I’ve found it to be true…and I’ve been changed by it.
This Easter morning Bethany and I will raise a glass of champagne towards the heavens and declare “He is Risen.” Because He is risen we have hope, peace, love, joy, patience, wholeness…and any other virtue that is found in our lives. If you find anything admirable in us, it is because of Easter.
We hope that this Easter you explore the depths of what God is doing in your life. Whether you know it or not, He is calling you to Himself and asking you to consider the hope that is found in the Easter story. We invite you to raise a glass of champagne with us. You’ll find that it tastes of hope, death, victory, and life all at the same time. And it will nourish your soul.
Happy Easter
5 comments
Here here!
(Though, as one of those fanatical, fundamentalist Baptist crazy people, I have to drink sparkling grape juice… after I put my snakes down… But it’s the thought that counts!
)
—-
DISCLAIMER: No, I do not really handle snakes. No, I do not believe only Baptists will go to heaven–though I do know a few good jokes on that notion. Yes, I hope I’m seen as fanatical–kinda hard to be a vessel of the Holy Spirit and not come across that way. My worry is when I’m not “fanatical” enough–especially on Resurrection Day!
It seems this Easter I feel more connected and aware of what price Jesus paid for us. It humbles me and thrills me all at the same time. So, I will be raising my glass this weekend along with you and Bethany to celebrate this wonderful gift of eternal life. Thanks for the great reminder!
@ Jan. Glad to be raising our glasses with you.
While I understand the depth of what you’re saying in this devotional…I am wondering about some of the wording! How would a recovering alcoholic respond? My dad would have readily said to your invitation, “I’ll DRINK to that”!…unfortuntately he died an alcoholic! I love you!
@ Bud. Thanks for commenting. I would encourage a recovering alcoholic to celebrate the fact that his/her recovery is possible because of the life and power that Easter morning offers. To me, it’s one of the most powerful testimonies that give evidence to God’s work in a person’s life.
But I would strongly discourage a recovering alcoholic from actually using alcohol to engage in the celebration. And if I were celebrating with such a friend, I would avoid any activity that would discourage the road of recovery they are on.
Love ya to!
(FYI – Bud is my father-in-law, so this isn’t weird or creepy or anything.)