We don't need the government to give us a Public Holiday in order to celebrate Ascension Day! Sure, it would be nice to have the day off, but I feel that by having to make an "effort" to commemorate this day, we turn Ascension Day into a true holy-day. Churches around the world will mark this occasion by having services at different times in the day, some starting early in the morning, while others (including our community) have services in the evening. If you haven't thought about attending a service, I encourage you to find a local church and attend one of their services.
Ascension Day is the name given to Jesus' Ascension recorded in the book of Acts, chapter 1. For 40 days after his Resurrection, Jesus appeared to his followers teaching them and encouraging them. Ascension day was the moment he left earth, in bodily form, and returned to his Father.
Of course, Jesus never abandoned us, but instead he left us his Spirit - our comforter, advocate, guide and friend. For me, there is an important progression in Jesus life and we can't exclude the Ascension from this list:
...birth, growing up, death, resurrection, ascension (and sending of the Spirit).
Acts 1: 9-11
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,”
they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same
Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Living in Grace
D3LM3
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