I love this time of year, partly because my birthday is in April, but also because of Easter – recently celebrated.
Of all the church services of the year (including the wonderful services we have at Christmas) my absolute favourite is the Dawn Service, which takes place very early on Easter Day.
All through Holy Week we are slowly building up to this moment.
First there is the drama of Maundy Thursday, with the stripping of the church, and its transformation into a tomb-like space.
Then there is the chill of Good Friday as we remember the death of Jesus.
The mood on that day is subdued – almost sombre.
It all builds up in our memories until we gather together at church – in the dark – at an impossibly early hour before the dawn breaks, on Easter Day.
And then – as the first daylight appears, and our candles are lit one by one, the church begins to fill with a glow whose intensity just increases.
It is an almost inexpressibly wonderful moment, as hope and light spread throughout the congregation.
In a sometimes dark and broken world, it is uplifting, optimistic, and forward-looking.
Today we need that hope more than ever.
Colin Weedon is a member of St Paul’s, Wokingham.
Sunday services take place at St. Paul’s Church at 9:30am
For information, visit: https://spauls.co.uk/
