Friends,

This coming Sunday is the first Sunday after Easter, and at CCOV, you all know what that means!  It’s Holy Humor Sunday!  Early in the service we will pass the microphone around, and you will have an opportunity to share good (clean) jokes with your church family.

Holy Humor Sunday is also known as Bright Sunday, which was a tradition begun by the Greeks in the early centuries of Christianity to continue the joyful celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.  Early church theologians called the resurrection “Risus paschalis” or the Easter laugh, because God played a practical joke on the devil by raising Jesus from the dead.  For centuries the Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant countries, the week following Easter Sunday, participated with joy and laughter through parties and picnics to celebrate the resurrection.  Church people played practical jokes, drenched each other with water, jested, sang, and danced.  Then, in 1988 a group called The Fellowship of Merry Christians resurrected this ancient celebration, renamed it “Holy Humor Sunday,” and encouraged its now widespread observance around the globe.  

Let us be reminded that because of Easter, we can continue to celebrate the greatest miracle in human history all year long.  Get ready to laugh together this Sunday!

Many Blessings,

Co-Pastor Sandi