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Holy Week: from Palm Sunday to Easter

Great Vigil of Easter

The night before Easter Day, bring your children to the Easter vigil! A liturgy that reaches back to early centuries of Christianity, the Great Vigil of Easter is often more interesting for young children than most other church services. It is in the evening. There is darkness and light, fire, water, quiet readings, festive singing, and Eucharist. And we stay up after bedtime!

The Great Vigil begins in darkness, a single candle is lit -- perhaps from a fire -- and the church begins to fill with light. Readings and singing alternate, telling many of the great salvation stories from the Bible. There will probably be a blessing of water and then baptisms. A gloriously festive "Alleluia!" The first eucharist of Easter. Then we can exchange special Easter greetings: "Christ is risen!" "He is risen indeed!"

At home after the Vigil, share a special Easter bread; Easter has arrived!

Sleep late in the morning, as you've been to an Easter service already.

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