Of the three great feasts of the Christian faith, Christmas is the easiest to explain and get a “feel for”, because it is the feast of the child. It centers aroundbirth and family, and these we know about. Easter can overwhelm somewhat, and does not appear to be familiar, something within our experience. Is not resurrection something in our future? Then there’s Pentecost! It’s about the Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who is even called “the Unknown God” by some spiritual writers.

There is another reason why this feast is a little difficult to take in. The Spirit is invisible, and the concept of Spirit is endlessly rich. There are few words in the English language which have more good connotations, all appealing! Think of “spirit” or “high spirits” or “spirited”. All these are terms which suggest life, liveliness, good cheer, animation, enthusiasm, and joy, just to name a few. We love to use the word, to speak about the human spirit, the victories of the spirit, the spirit of ‘76. We even speak of people now dead as still with us “in spirit”. A spiritual presence! All this sounds wonderful, and it is, but it is also rich like a banquet where we feel frustrated because we can eat only a few things.

The problem, of course, and the wonder of it is that we are talking about God. It is God who is endlessly rich, as well as a mystery. God is depth, and to a great extent we will always stand on the edge of understanding. But we are mistaken about resurrection. This is something we experience many times in life before the final death. Resurrection is not the same as heaven or paradise. Resurrection is the new life won by Jesus. And it is through his Spirit that Christ’s risen life is shared with us. We experience it each time we “rise up” to new beginnings, to a new vision or opportunity, or simply to the challenge of a new day. We rise up many times, from sin, sleep, or our bad moods, and each time is resurrection; each time is Easter. That’s God’s Spirit working in us, the Spirit whose great feast we celebrate today.