In the dark we gathered at Margarethen cemetery, lit torches, sang, and walked over the hill to the church. We gathered inside while it was still dark and sat in silence watching the Christ – I mean Easter candle. With trumpet and organ and not too much enthusiasm we celebrated Christ’s resurrection. Then we went outside to have breakfast together and behold! It was snowing! As we walked to the breakfast place it grew stronger and the whole area was covered in a wet snow. We didn’t have a white Christmas, but we have a white Easter. Considering the fact that it’s the second snow in Basel, it’s making me happy even though I can’t wear the open toed heels I had planed to wear for Easter.
Christ is risen!
He is risen, indeed!
Our Easter Vigil wasn't as glorious as yours, since it had to be squeezed into an hour and 20 minutes (due to technical difficulties with the following service), but it was still wonderful. I love the Vigil! The "regular" service afterwards was fine, but a bit of a comedown after the other. Musical notes: we had the Alleluia from Mozart's Exultate, Jubilate, and from Handel's Messiah we had the Trumpet Shall Sound, How Beautiful Are the Feet, and the Hallelujah Chorus. :) Okay, so the last was of necessity a SAB version, but it was still great.
Memo to organists: When a hymn has a descant that already hits some pretty high notes, please do not raise the pitch before the last verse! A full step it was, too....
