Stars twinkled in the sky, as the first cars pulled into the parking lot. Their headlights beamed over the ocean waters, competing with the circling light from the towering lighthouse behind us. Children yawned, as their parents lifted them from their safety seats. A light breeze chilled the congregation gathering on the rocks of Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia. Some shivered beneath heavy coats, which did little to block the pre- dawn cold.

Our pastor climbed to the highest rock. We waited patiently for her to speak. The sky grew lighter over the eastern sky, turning the waters red. “Every day the sun sets.” She began. “Every morning it rises again. We’re disappointed to see it leave us each evening, but we’re not sad. We have faith in our sun. We know it will rise again.” She spoke for many minutes, touching our hearts and souls with her words of faith and love.

The sky grew brighter. The choir assembled on the cliffs in front of us. They lead us in song. As the last words echoed out of the ocean, the sun appeared over the horizon.

It was Easter morning.

The Son had risen.

Michael T. Smith mtsmith@qwestonline.com