So, another Easter has passed. I remember Easter when I was young and how incredibly boring and gloomy it felt, except for Easter Saturday when we received candy-filled Easter eggs and a delicious Easter buffet was laid out. Good Friday, on the other hand, was very long. Only Christian programs were shown on TV, cinemas were closed, as were discos and clubs. We young people had a hard time making time pass.
Today, I wish Good Friday were longer – time flies faster and faster as one gets older.
I also think back to the church services on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. They were long, depressing, and it was easy to doze off during the sermons. I’m sure many can relate.
Today, things are different in many ways. Of course, we celebrate Easter for the same reason as before, but the difference is that many of today’s pastors have the ability to lighten the mood, they dare to be a bit cheerful and allow for some humor.
This Easter Sunday, April 20th 2025, both Danish pastor Nikolaj Stubbe Hörlyck and the Swedish priest Olof Olsson, held a joint service. I dare say the Danes were in majority this year. Perhaps many didn’t dare venture out in the sweltering heat. The service was held in both Danish and Swedish, with two priests who passionately and humorously spoke about the resurrection of Jesus.
No priest 20-25 years ago would have dared stand in front of the altar and say that if there were to be a Netflix series about church holidays, Easter would outshine our beloved Christmas with far more episodes. His comment made room for laughter.
To dare to take a lighter approach to the often very uncomfortable subject of death.
Death is part of life, something we all have in common, rich or poor-none of us can escape it.
What we mostly do, is not to talk about it, as it is scary and no one knows what’s going to happen to us after death, will we like Jesus also arise?
Psalm 118:15-24 says:
The Lord’s hand has shown its power.
The lord’s hand is raised in victory,
The Lord’s hand has shown its power.
I shall not die, but live, and proclaim the deeds of the Lord.
The Lord has chastened me severely,
But he has not given me over to death.
Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter.
I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
You have become my salvation.
The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
The Lord has done this,
And it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Thought-provoking words.
Before the service concluded, the Danish priest broke a baguette – the bread representing the body of Christ – while our Swedish priest held the chalice with the red wine, representing the blood of Christ.
It wasn’t easy breaking the bread into small pieces, so Nikolaj had to put some effort into it. Wafers are definitely easier.
During communion, The Old Rugged Cross was played by two talented musicians.
Finally, ‘as closing piece, we got to listen to the beautiful Swedish folk song “Den blomstertid nu kommer” (Now comes the Time for flowers). Every time I hear it, it brings to mind school graduations-wonderful memories.
Delicious sandwich cakes, beer, snaps, and wine were served afterwards for a modest price.
