As the Easter season begins, people around the world share special greetings. The calendar marks a different Sunday each year to celebrate Easter and the empty tomb. Advertisements begin listing sales early in the year. Churches start planning for sunrise services. While colorful eggs, chocolate bunny rabbits, new outfits, and shared meals are enjoyed, the true meaning of Easter is found in Scripture and our ability to share the good news of the Bible.
Before, during, and after Easter, let us speak with Easter greetings that will share His love and glory to all.
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What is the Meaning Behind Easter Week?
Easter Week (also known as Holy Week or the Passion Week) commemorated each day of remembering Christ’s journey to the cross, His suffering, and His rising from the tomb. The death of Jesus on the cross was not the end but the beginning.
Churches celebrate Easter Week in a variety of ways. Crosses in churchyards are often draped with a purple sash recognizing the royalty of Jesus (purple is also the color for humility, wisdom, and reflection). Flowers are often brought and laid at the foot of the cross on Easter morning. Candles are lit in church on the first Sunday in Lent. One candle per week is extinguished during Lent. Darkness brings reminders of Good Friday.
Christians will hold sunrise services on beaches, mountains, buildings, and homes on Easter Sunday. Watching the Easter morning darkness helps us to remember the pain Jesus suffered and how darkness filled the earth at His death. As the sun begins to shine and light fills the day, we recognize that His death became life and light for all who believe and have faith in Him.
The tomb could not keep Him “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” (Matthew 28:6 NIV)
“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'” (Luke 24:6-7)
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How Many Days are in Easter Week?
Easter Week contains eight days, each one marking important events in Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem:
Palm Sunday is the day when Christians recall Jesus entering Jerusalem on a colt. He was greeted by the people waving palm branches. They took those palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna”! “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” (John 12:13 NIV)
Holy Monday is remembered as the day Jesus cursed the fig tree (Matthew 21:18-22), cleansed the temple, and listened to leaders questioning His authority (Matthew 21:23-27).
Holy Tuesday is the last Tuesday before Easter Sunday. Scripture shares that Jesus was challenged by the Pharisees and Sadducees about paying taxes and the root of His authority.
Holy Wednesday is the day Christians remember the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. This day is also known as Spy Wednesday. Some churches will repeat the practice of Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) and mark each person on the forehead with a cross made from ashes.
Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday is the day believed to have been when Jesus celebrated the final Passover with His disciples. Jesus washed the feet of His disciples in an act of humility (John 13:1-7).
Good Friday is remembered as the day Jesus was crucified on the cross. Christians know that Jesus died so that we may live (1 Peter 2:24).
Holy Saturday commemorates the day Jesus lay in the tomb. Christians know He rose from the dead and now sits at the right hand of His Father (1 Peter 3:22).
Easter Sunday is the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb. This glorious event happened the third day after the crucifixion of Jesus. Scripture tells in Isaiah 53 that the Messiah would be persecuted, die for our sins, and rise on the third day. The words “He is Risen, Risen Indeed!” are heard on Easter Sunday, as Christians rejoice in the Risen Lord. He conquered death, and He lives. Hallelujah!
The following greetings help us remember and meditate on these ideas.
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Greetings for the Start of Easter Season
Blessings for a meaningful and prayerful Lent.
God bless you and your family as the Easter season begins. May your hearts be filled with His love and peace.
May the peace of Christ be with you this Easter season.
Greetings for Palm Sunday
“Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Be blessed.
As we remember the meaning of Palm Sunday, may your heart be filled with His love.
Let us remember His sacrifice on this Palm Sunday and every day.
Greetings for Holy Monday
Remembering the power and glory of the Lord, I pray you rest in His presence on Holy Monday.
Thinking of you on Holy Monday and asking God to draw you closer to Him.
God is with us on Holy Monday and always. Amen.
Greetings for Holy Tuesday
Greetings in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
On this day of Holy Week, let us remember how Jesus was tried and convicted.
Peace be to you and your family on this Holy Tuesday, remembering the sacrifice of Jesus.
Greetings for Holy Wednesday
May the Lord keep you in His loving care on this Holy Wednesday.
Prayers for you and your family as you worship on this Holy Wednesday.
Praying you find His hope and love on this special day.
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Greetings for Maundy Thursday
May the Lord bless and protect you and your family. Amen.
Let us remember the commandment given by Him. “Love each other.”
Drink the cup and break the bread as we remember His love and sacrifice for our sins.
Greetings for Good Friday
Good Friday brings Easter Sunday. Hallelujah and Amen.
Let us remember the torture, pain, and sacrifice Jesus endured for us. Amen.
Jesus died so we can live. Amen.
Greetings for Holy Saturday
Greetings and blessings on this Easter Vigil day.
Blessings to you as the Lenten season ends and Easter Sunday begins.
May the love of Christ fill your hearts and souls. Amen.
Greetings for Easter Sunday
He is Risen! Risen Indeed!
Christ is Risen! Hallelujah!
The Lord is Risen! The Lord is Risen! Amen and Hallelujah!
Bless the Lord! My soul rejoices! He is Risen!
The tomb is empty. He is alive. Praise God!
Glory to God in the Highest! Peace on Earth!
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Final Reflections on the Easter Season
Easter can bring thoughts of joy and celebration. Easter can evoke thoughts of sadness and contemplation as Christians are reminded of the pain and suffering Jesus endured on the journey to the cross and while He was nailed there for all to view. His path was one of excruciating pain, torture, and death. Even while Jesus knew He was fulfilling the promises of His Father, Jesus experienced every emotion for us. His tears, heartbreak, and pain were not for himself but each believer. He died so that we may live. God gave His only Son so we may have life everlasting (John 3:16).
"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:5-6 NIV)
The promise of Easter is found in knowing that our Savior rose from the tomb and lives today. He sits at the right hand of His Father
Easter is a time to remember and give thanks to God. May the love and sacrifice of Jesus be recalled as we celebrate the risen Lord. Each moment of the life of Jesus had purpose. God had a plan for His Son, and God has a plan for each person today.
Glory, peace, and comfort are found in Him.
In His Name,
Melissa Henderson
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