Manitoba pastor reflects on the constant celebration of Easter

Easter weekend is filled with special church services, music, candlelight, flowers and the ringing of church bells. It's also a special day for spending time with family and friends and enjoying delicious food.

This weekend, believers around the world are observing Easter, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion.

Mark Tiessen-Dyck, lead pastor at Altona Bergthaler Mennonite Church, reflects on the significance of Easter season.

“It’s the foundation of my faith. That Christ has risen means everything; it means we can have hope in all circumstances, that no matter how hard things get God is still at work, God is still redeeming our brokenness and making all things new.”

Considering the effects of the pandemic, Tiessen-Dyck says this has been a year like no other.

“But the first Easter morning was a day like no other! In this year, when there’s been so much pain and so much hardship in our lives, we don’t have to let it define us," the pastor says.

"That’s not to say we don’t do what we need to do to protect one another and to live safely amid COVID. But it’s the resurrection of Jesus that is the source of my life, what I want to live toward and what I want to live for, not to be defined by my hardships or brokenness.”

Tiessen-Dyck emphasizes the value of observing Good Friday and celebrating Easter Sunday. He says it’s good to celebrate Easter every day.

“Our calendar helps us in that we have one day when we particularly remember that Christ has risen, that he is alive. There’s so much more work for God to do in renewing, restoring and rectifying this world," says Tiessen-Dyck.

"As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, may we also be inspired to live within it and to live toward the world has God is making new.”