Of all religious festivals, what is more thought-stirring, hope-inspiring, and joy-bringing than Easter? "For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land." So run the poetic lines in Solomon's Song. Throughout the Christian world, Easter, memorializing and symbolizing the Master's triumphant resurrection, brings to burdened hearts everywhere a message of renewal—a renewal of courage, of expectation of deliverance from bondage; a renewal of strength to "fight the good fight" and overcome evil as did the great Exemplar.
"Awake, thou wintry earth—
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!
Christ is risen."
In the Manual of The Mother. Church (Art. XVII, Sect. 2) the beloved Leader of the Christian Science movement, Mary Baker Eddy, tells her followers that there should be no unusual observances or festivities by members of The Mother Church at Easter; for, she writes, "Gratitude and love should abide in every heart each day of all the years." Each day, therefore, should the Christian Scientist celebrate the Master's great victory over death; each day would our Leader have us taste the joy and uplift of Easter and its vivifying, regenerating message.
