The Easter Parade

Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! I Chronicles 16:24/Psalm 96:3

When I was growing up one of the popular songs of the day was Irving Berlin’s “The Easter Parade” in which the lyrics expressed the infatuation the “fellow” had with the girl on his arm, decked out in her Easter finery, topped by her “Easter bonnet with all the fills upon it …” He imagined that they would be the darlings of the photographers who were waiting to snap their photos for the “rotogravure” as they strolled down Fifth Avenue.

Because of the coronavirus, Easter celebrations will look much different this year. There certainly aren’t any crowds strolling down Fifth Avenue. My new dress will be hanging in the closet, not parading anywhere. And most likely, whatever your family traditions have been, your Easter celebration, like mine, will be scaled down, most likely confined to virtual worship Easter services, and perhaps, Easter dinner limited to the immediate family.

I suggest that as the festivities we’ve often considered a part of Easter—the Easter baskets, the bunnies, the sumptuous buffets, candies and cakes, the new finery—are reduced in scale, this is the time to turn our attention to the Parade of Parades, the one the Apostle Paul wrote about in his letter to the Corinthians:

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, And through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere.” II Corinthians 2:14

Paul’s narrative uses the imagery of a triumphal ancient general returning to his city, followed by a train of captives, to help us imagine our Savior who is leading His beloved, those whose hearts He has captured, in victory over our genetic virus, enslavement to sin and death. While no photographers await, clothed in the beautiful robes of righteousness, His joyful followers are the delight of their Heavenly Captor.

This Easter, let us rejoice in our Deliverer who leads us onward in victory over our pride, our obsessions, and everything that once bound us and Who is forming us more and more in the perfection of His likeness. As some of the traditions we’ve entertained in the past are closeted this season, let us spread abroad the Heavenly scent of our risen Lord.

“Thine be the glory, risen, conqu’ring Son; Endless is the vict’ry Thou o’er death hast won.” Edmond Budry, 1884