We begin in darkness and move into light, just as the long night of sin and death is brought to an end by the Resurrection – the rising of the True Sun, Jesus Christ. The service begins with the lighting and blessing of the ‘New Fire:’ ‘Sanctify this new fire, and inflame us with a
new hope; in this paschal feast may we so burn with heavenly desires, that we may attain to the feast of eternal light.’ The priest then takes the great Paschal Candle, traces the cross in its wax, adorns it with Alpha and Omega, adds the current year, and five grains of incense for the five wounds suffered by Our Lord. The Paschal Candle is lit from the New Fire and becomes the focal point of our praise – an eloquent symbol of the risen Saviour. In procession, the great candle is carried up the aisle through the darkened church. Our hand tapers are lit. The light spreads. At the front of the church, the Exultet, an ancient and beautiful chant, is sung. Its theme is the overcoming of the darkness of this world by the light of Christ. It summons all creation to rejoice. Next, readings from the Old Testament help us to recall God’s mighty acts in ancient times and these prophecies foster our own sense of hope and anticipation of the coming Messiah. We listen to the Creation story, and the story of the People of Israel escaping from Egypt through the Red Sea on their way to the Promised Land. Following the Old Testament readings, we conclude with Morning Prayer and are welcome to stay for breakfast in preparation for the glorious Sung Easter Holy Communion at 10:00am.