Various Texts
In the Name + of JESUS. Amen.
Beloved, this once was a night of death. This was the night of the plagues, when the avenging angel struck down the first-born in Egypt. But this is the night of the Passover, when the blood of the lambs saved Israel’s children from death.
This once was the night of darkness, in a world shrouded in the darkness of sin – hatred and violence, insolence and unbelief. But it has become for us a night of light. This is the night when the first flame kindles the Paschal Candle, connecting Baptisms and funerals, birth and death, to Jesus’ resurrection.
This is the night when time is renewed.
This is the night when we behold the wounds of Jesus with joy.
This is the night when darkness is scattered by the light of Christ.
This is the night of joy.
This is the night of blessing.
This is the night when angels rejoice.
This is the night when creation is glad.
This is the night when the trumpet sounds.
This is the night when the ancient darkness is forever banished.
This is the night when Christ clothes His Church in the brightness of His light.
This is the night when the children of Israel passed through the Red Sea with unmoistened foot.
This is the night when we are cleansed by the shedding of Christ’s blood.
This is the night when you are delivered from bondage to sin.
This is the night when you are restored to life and immortality.
This is the night when all your disordered desires are reoriented to Christ.
This is the night when children of Adam are reborn to be children of God.
This is the night when catechumens are anointed and signed with the cross, and welcomed to the Lord’s table.
Why? Because this is the night when Christ, the Life, arose from the dead.
This is the night when the seal of the grave is broken.
This is the night night becomes morning and darkness is turned to light.
Rejoice, O Christians! For on this night, your innocence is restored, and you are reconciled to God.
Have you wandered far in this vale of tears? This is the night when the Father welcomes home His prodigal sons and daughters. This is the night when the elder son puts away his envy.
Rejoice! For this is the night of your salvation—for Christ is risen, and He has turned our night into endless day.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
In the Name + of JESUS. Amen.
Beloved, this once was a night of death. This was the night of the plagues, when the avenging angel struck down the first-born in Egypt. But this is the night of the Passover, when the blood of the lambs saved Israel’s children from death.
This once was the night of darkness, in a world shrouded in the darkness of sin – hatred and violence, insolence and unbelief. But it has become for us a night of light. This is the night when the first flame kindles the Paschal Candle, connecting Baptisms and funerals, birth and death, to Jesus’ resurrection.
This is the night when time is renewed.
This is the night when we behold the wounds of Jesus with joy.
This is the night when darkness is scattered by the light of Christ.
This is the night of joy.
This is the night of blessing.
This is the night when angels rejoice.
This is the night when creation is glad.
This is the night when the trumpet sounds.
This is the night when the ancient darkness is forever banished.
This is the night when Christ clothes His Church in the brightness of His light.
This is the night when the children of Israel passed through the Red Sea with unmoistened foot.
This is the night when we are cleansed by the shedding of Christ’s blood.
This is the night when you are delivered from bondage to sin.
This is the night when you are restored to life and immortality.
This is the night when all your disordered desires are reoriented to Christ.
This is the night when children of Adam are reborn to be children of God.
This is the night when catechumens are anointed and signed with the cross, and welcomed to the Lord’s table.
Why? Because this is the night when Christ, the Life, arose from the dead.
This is the night when the seal of the grave is broken.
This is the night night becomes morning and darkness is turned to light.
Rejoice, O Christians! For on this night, your innocence is restored, and you are reconciled to God.
Have you wandered far in this vale of tears? This is the night when the Father welcomes home His prodigal sons and daughters. This is the night when the elder son puts away his envy.
Rejoice! For this is the night of your salvation—for Christ is risen, and He has turned our night into endless day.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
RSS Feed