Easter Sunday
John Alter (Florida, USA)

God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. - Genesis 1:3 (NRSVUE)



In 1965 I was a US Navy pilot serving aboard an aircraft carrier. I was on a plane that returned to the ship just before sunrise — when that narrowest sliver of light begins to separate the ocean’s invisible horizon from the black sky. As I walked from my plane toward the debriefing room, I noticed a group of sailors setting up chairs on the flight deck — normally a bustling scene of people and planes. It suddenly dawned on me that it was Easter morning! Under the direction of our chaplain, the crew was creating a temporary chapel for a sunrise service. The usual earsplitting flight deck had been transformed into a peaceful sanctuary where a group of Christians worshiped the risen Christ — just as dawn broke over the sea.

As we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus, I was reminded that sunrise is a never-ending event. As the Earth turns, the sun peeks over the horizon — inch by inch, moment by moment, day by day. Although I was experiencing a very private moment, millions of other Christians would witness the same miracle of dawn in their own corner of the world. The sun’s daily ritual speaks to Christianity’s most fundamental belief: The Lord has risen! God’s creation of land, sea, sun, and sky serves as the never-ending sunrise experience shared daily around the globe. Each moment is a testament to the risen Christ.




TODAY'S PRAYER
Worldwide God, thank you for being everywhere around this planet Earth that all your children call home. We give you thanks for the risen Christ! Amen.



---------------------------



TODAY'S READING
Genesis 1:1-5


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Each dawn God shares love and presence with his worldwide family.


PRAYER FOCUS
Naval aviators