Christos Anesti!

One of my favorite traditions growing up was something my family said to each other every Easter morning.  As soon as we first saw him that day, my dad would kiss our foreheads and say, "Christos Anesti!"  Being well-seasoned in this family tradition, my three siblings and I would each chime back "Altheo Anesti!"

The beauty of those words is the same whether the truth is spoken in Greek or in English:

He is risen!  He is risen indeed!

The Saturday before Easter is usually a somber day, one where we think on Christ's death and the time He spent separated from the love of His Father, taking our place in death so that we could live forever with Him in Heaven.  While I am remembering that today, I just wanted to share this with you and remind you of the coming joy of tomorrow.

Our Lord is not dead.  Unlike others in the Bible who rose from the dead, returned to their lives, and then died again, Jesus did not die.  Nor, unlike other religions, is our God some inanimate figurine in a temple or on a shelf.  Our Christ was crucified.  He bore our sins so that we wouldn't have to.  He is victorious over death, and He is coming again.  He is risen.  Death could not contain Him.  Even the sin of the entire world--life after life through ages and ages--was not enough to keep Him in the grave forever.

Christos Anesti.  He is risen.

Those words in Greek contain special meaning to my family because of my dad's love for Greece and his fond memories of the years he spent there as a young adult, but the truth is there for everyone.  In every language, spoken and unspoken, He is Risen.  Alleluia!

As you prepare for the celebration of tomorrow, be reminded of what these words mean.  It's not written in the past tense--he rose, or he has risen.  He is risen--He was lifted up, and He continues to live.  The beautiful realization of the women at the tomb is the same for us.  Our God lives.

Altheo Anesti!

Here is my Easter gift to you--a free Easter Subway Art Printable!