On Easter, I had the wonderful privilege of attending the Easter Sunrise Service at the Grand Canyon. We arose at 4:00, donned layers of clothing as a buffer against the cold and walked through the darkness to Mather Point. We found a great spot on the rocks facing the Eastern sky. We sat quietly in meditation, listening to beautiful music, as the darkness gradually gave way to shades of light.
The message began with a quote from former Arizona governor Howard Pyle who presided over the Canyon's sunrise service for 25 of its 77 year history.
"Slowly the soft black lines of the horizon widen to the right and left as the golden glow of the sunrise moves higher and higher.
In a matter of seconds, colored lights are hanging everywhere.
The Easter sun is on its way. No longer are we standing on the edge of nowhere. There is movement and form on a gigantic scale, and sound to match the voices and the rustlings of the birds and scampering things along the rim. What has been a dungeon-like darkness below becomes a mysterious combination of enormous black and blue shadows, then the shadows become a vast network of interlocking mountain ranges and ridges. The temple heart of the Grand Canyon."*
Facing the lightening horizon, the pastor, reads from Psalm 19.
The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
Psalms 19:1,4-5 (NLT)
As we began singing Christ the Lord is Risen Today, the glorious, radiant bridegroom bursts forth over the North Rim.
The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat. Psalms 19:6
As we listen, Pastor Patrick eloquently compares our glorious sun to the even more glorious son, Jesus, our Savior. We are awe-struck and a greater understanding of his light and love fills our souls.
As the service concludes, we sing,
"Shine your light and let the whole world see,
we're singing for the glory of the risen King."
As the full splendor of the canyon comes into view below, we go forth with great joy, in the presence of our risen Savior.
But for you who fear my name,
And you will go free,
leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.
Mal 4:2 (NLT)
Listen to Christ the Lord is Risen today: http://youtu.be/MldbSYf4DpU
* Arizona Governor Howard Pyle, providing the radio "call" of the sunrise at the Easter Sunrise Service, ca. 1954.
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