When most people hear “Easter,” they think of a single Sunday filled with lilies, hymns, and maybe a few chocolate eggs. But in the Church’s liturgical calendar, Easter is far more than just a day—it’s an entire season. In fact, Easter lasts for 50 days!

 

That’s right—Easter is a season, not just one Sunday, and we are now in the season of Easter, which runs from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday. This season is a joyful, ongoing reflection on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and what it means for the world. In the same way that Lent gives us 40 days to prepare through prayer, fasting, and reflection, Easter gives us 50 days to rejoice, feast, and live in the hope of resurrection.

 

So why 50 days? The number 50 has deep roots in scripture and tradition. In the Jewish calendar, Shavuot (or Pentecost) comes 50 days after Passover and celebrates the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. After the resurrection, Jesus spent forty days on earth before he ascended. Ten days after that, on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, empowering them to go out and share the good news. The 50 days of Easter mirror this journey—from the empty tomb to the fire of Pentecost. It’s a season that moves us from awe to action. How can you live into the Easter season? You don’t need to keep your Easter decorations up (unless you want to!), but here are plenty of meaningful ways to mark this sacred season:

• Keep celebrating: Consider small acts of joy or gratitude each day.

• Read the resurrection stories: In worship, we will dive into the post-Easter accounts in the Gospels and Acts.   

• Share hope: Reach out to someone who could use some encouragement. 

• Pray with the season: We will use Easter prayers and songs each Sunday through these 50 days.     

• Watch for light: Notice signs of resurrection and new life in your daily routine as spring approaches. The paschal candle will be lit at every service as a sign of the risen Christ. 

•  Decorate our altar: As blooms appear in our gardens, donations of flowers would bring new life to the sanctuary.

No, Easter isn’t a one-and-done event. Easter is meant to linger. It’s a season that gives us time to let the good news soak in: Christ is risen. Death is defeated. Hope is alive. We say “Merry Christmas!” but what about Easter? Does it have a greeting? Yes, there is an ancient and universal greeting of celebration for Easter:

Greeting: Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Response: The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia!

So, the next time someone says, “Wasn’t Easter last week?” you can smile and say, “Actually, it’s still Easter!”

In Christ, Marijo Vik