Not a chuckle, nor a titter, but a loud, belly-shaking exuberant laugh. The church roars with laughter at Easter, because the devil has been defeated. The church shakes with mirth because God has restored his people to himself. The church is overcome with hilarity because the cross, an instrument of torture for those disdained by society, became a finger pointing the way to heaven. The laughter of the people of God changes everything.
People approach the altar with solemnity, weighed down by a burden of sin.
They return from the altar with a smile on their lips, a twinkle in their eyes, and hope in their hearts because they know that they are the forgiven people of God. What a wonderful thing to be able to pass on to one's children and grandchildren. Restore unto me, O Lord, the joy of salvation. Give me eyes open to wonder and a heart over-flowing with thankfulness. Teach me to laugh, O Lord, not the laugh of Sarah, but the holy laugh of Eastertide, for with God through Jesus Christ all things truly are possible.