In a recent interview, author and Anglican bishop Tom Wright commented that the church does a very good job of preparing for Easter through the season of Lent. We fast (or give things up), we focus on the journey to the cross and we hold special services leading up to Easter.
But, said Wright, once we get to Easter Sunday, the flowers come out, we announce to each other that "Christ is risen!" and we head on back home to get on with life. Tom Wright makes the point that, just as Lent is a six week season in the liturgical calendar, so there is a season called Eastertide that runs from Easter Sunday to Pentecost and he asks why we don't celebrate the season of Eastertide as faithfully as we observe Lent.
What do you think? What would it look like if we celebrated Eastertide for the next few weeks - very deliberately keeping the joyful triumph of the risen Christ before us in worship? I'd love to hear your ideas ... maybe we can make smiling compulsory for this season :)