A song for Easter

Listen to "Easter Fire," a song for Easter

Some churches celebrate Easter with a vigil service, happening between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter Morning. The priest begins by kindling a fire sometimes in a metal bowl called a brazier or a campfire. I think our firepit from Lowe’s will make an appearance. From the brazier (or firepit) comes a “new” and blessed fire that lights a very large candle. The candle is carried in the procession into the dark church, and the “new” fire serves as an image of the Resurrection. Five grains of incense are inserted into the candle to recall the aromatic spices that were used to prepare Christ’s body for the tomb, and the wounds in His hands, feet, and side, which remained after His resurrection. The Paschal candle remains near the altar during the season of Easter. After Pentecost, it sits by the baptismal font where it’s lit during baptisms and sometimes funerals, reminding us of our death and resurrection in Christ. (source)

There is a beautiful tradition of bringing your own candle with you to church and lighting it from the easter flame, nursing it carefully on the journey back home. This blessed candle can be lit for dinner or prayer-time or whenever you need a little Easter magic.

I love the symbolism of “bringing home the fire.“ After 40 days of darkness and silence, we see Christ our light. A fire that divides but never goes out. We are gathered into the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection, transformed by his life and teaching, and it’s like we are rising with Him, into something new.

If you go to one Christian service, make it the Easter vigil. Christ our light. Thanks be to God.

Easter Fire

I see the sun over the hill
Light the candle, ring the bells
I dip my spirit in the well
You made a way
Somewhere in the joy and the pain
I can feel the heat of the flame

I will tell the story
Of how Love came down
And became a fire
That I can't blow out
Alleluia, alleluia send us out
With the Easter fire

I don't know what it always means
In the dark I'm caught between
But I think I'm trying to believe
Everything's changed
Somewhere in the joy and the pain
I can feel the heat of the flame

I will tell the story
Of how Love came down
And became a fire
That I can't blow out
Alleluia, alleluia send us out
With the Easter fire

Music and lyrics by Allie Levanway
Mixed by Meg Settle
Mastered by Edsel Holden
Keys and vocals by Allie Levanway
Mandocello and mandola by Drew Bunting
Guitars and bass by John Mark Painter

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