Easter is early this year, celebrated on April 1, so there are lots of opportunities to think of ways to practice April Fool’s Day at the same time we’re thinking about what Easter means to Unitarian Universalists.
All this is also on a Sunday, so music will be part of our day together as well. In the 19th century, Samuel Longfellow wrote the words we sing every Easter, proclaiming “Lo, the earth awakes again from the winter’s bond and pain.” Since we had snow recently, this is a year when Longfellow’s words seem to match reality pretty well.
In the 20th century, Carl Seaburg wrote, “When the daffodils arrive in the Easter of the year, and the spirit starts to thrive, let the heart beat free and clear.” Longfellow’s words were set to an 18th-century Christian hymn, and Seaburg’s to a Hasidic tune, so Unitarian Universalists continue the practice of demonstrating our inclusive culture with music from many cultures rather than just one.
With music from the Genevan psalter, Robert Weston wrote, “This is the truth that passes understanding, this is the joy to all forever free: life springs from death and shatters every fetter, and winter turns to spring eternally.” Spring is here again, and music is here to celebrate!