Rejoicing in the new life seen in nature reflects the idea that Christians believe new life is on offer through the person of Jesus, who was witnessed alive 38 hours after having been tortured and killed by the Romans, 2000 years ago.
And there’s the oddness – that a celebration of life is only achieved by confronting pain and death. There is an about-turn in the emotions experienced in the seven days leading to Easter Sunday: of victorious cheering, then fearful rejection; of despair and grief, then joy and certainty.
George Herbert captures these jumps in perspective in his 1633 poem, Easter Wings. In both the shape and the mood of his verse he reflects the downward - then upward - move of the heart experienced by those who hold the Easter story dear.
Easter Wings by George Herbert
Lord, who createdst man in wealth and store,
Though foolishly he lost the same,
Decaying more and more,
Till he became
Most poore:
With thee
Oh let me rise
As larks, harmoniously,
And sing this day thy victories:
Then shall the fall further the flight in me.
My tender age in sorrow did beginne:
And still with sicknesses and shame
Thou didst so punish sinne,
That I became
Most thinne.
With thee
Let me combine
And feel this day thy victorie:
For, if I imp my wing on thine
Affliction shall advance the flight in me.
It is as if Herbert is saying that celebration is more meaningful when it has come through pain, rather than being cheaply won.To get a better insight into Herbert’s poem, check out Easter Wings by George Herbert on Crossref-it.info
Meanwhile, enjoy the break – and those eggs!
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