Excitement and anticipation are filling all around us. The snow and ice are gone from the Carson Valley, flowers are in bloom, and the sun is warming and shining brightly. You can see it, smell it, and feel it - spring is upon us!
And this week celebrates one of the real hallmarks of spring - Easter. This week is full of anticipation and excitement. Beautiful new dresses (perhaps, some still will bring out the bonnets), vibrant colors, families coming together, and many traditions abound for the Easter season. For many the season extends to a full week, including spring break for many.
In the life of the church, the week begins with the triumphal entry of Palm Sunday. The anticipation and buildup can be felt as the Christ enters into Jerusalem. The excitement the people had as they anticipated the kingly rule to now take place. The same excitement would turn as they did not get the things they expected and soon they would be the one's calling for Jesus' death by crucifixion. (Read in Scriptures, Matthew 21:1-10, 27:15-23).
Such tragedy, the death of the coming king. Yet his death was no ordinary death. His death was to give his body and blood, which was shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins. His death was to take your sins and take on the death you, as sinner, so deserve.
If this were the end of the story, what a crock this would be. The most important day in history occurs, the day that would bring about the continued celebration, the day of resurrection, Easter. The Lord risen from the grave to give you life.
This is the heart and soul of Christian worship. It is a celebration of Easter, a continuation of the celebration of the Lord's death and resurrection.
The weekly service of the Christian Church is not about our serving God, what we can do for Jesus, not about being entertained, nor is it about a giving of moral what-to-do's. The weekly service is about the Lord coming to us and giving us himself, giving us that which he only can provide - the forgiveness of sins. Thus, sins are confessed, forgiveness is proclaimed and given, the Lord's body and blood distributed for the forgiveness of sins, and prayers for daily needs prayed. The service is all about the Lord's giving for you, giving you forgiveness, life, and salvation.
From Palm Sunday through Holy Week, including the Maundy Thursday accounts of the Lord's Supper, the Good Friday accounts of the Lord's death, and culminating in Easter, the conclusion of Christmas has come. The Christ child born in Bethlehem gives himself for you in death and resurrection and gives you himself in weekly worship. This truly is the most wonderful time of the year.
• Pastor Christopher Amen is with Bethlehem Lutheran Church and School, www.blcs.org.