Whither the Lord's Ascension? by Pastor Walter Snyder Q: Why isn't Ascension Day celebrated by more Christians? Each year, it seems like the same small crowd gathers for services at our Lutheran church while the day passes seemingly without notice for most others. A: Sad to say, your story isn't unique within Christendom. While the Ascension was one of the earliest holy days regularly remembered and celebrated by the early Church, its observation has been in decline for years. For those whose churches don't observe all the occasions in the traditional Church calendar, Ascension Day celebrates Christ's bodily departure in the presence of His disciples on the fortieth day of His resurrection. Thus, since Easter is always a Sunday holiday, the fortieth day---the Thursday between the Sixth and Seventh Sunday of Easter---marks our observation of the event. Saint Luke provides a detailed account in Acts 1: "So when they had come together, they asked him, 'Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.' And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.' (6-11)" A summary ends Luke's Gospel account. The importance of the Ascension has, for some reason, diminished in the minds of many Christians, even though our Creeds testify to it. The Apostles' Creed says, "He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead." The Nicene Creed confesses, "[He] ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end." Likewise the Athanasian Creed testifies, "He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father, God Almighty, from whence He will come to judge the living and the dead." The Ascension fulfills Jesus' promise, spoken at various times throughout Saint John's Gospel account, that He would go to prepare a place for His disciples. In John 14:3, He extends that promise: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." So why don't we show more enthusiasm? One of my daughters somewhat sarcastically (but still truthfully) remarked, "It's because there aren't any presents." Easter and Christmas both offer special foods or candies. Christmas has presents. Independence Day has fireworks while other state and federal holidays provide days off from school and work. "All" that Ascension Day offers is a chance to go to church to hear that God loves you so much that He'll send His Son back to bring you home. "All" you get is forgiveness, life, and salvation. "All" that's available is Christ's body and blood, given and shed for you. Should this appeal to you, then why not next year consider interrupting your regular schedule on the Fortieth Day of Easter? Mark your calendar now for next May 20 (still Thursday!), anticipating that if neither the world ends nor your life on it, you'll have opportunity to hear the Good News of the One who leaves only for a time that you might be with Him for eternity. Celebrate not that Christ leaves you alone, but that He leaves so He might come back to take you to eternal life. Appreciate that while He "sits at the right hand of the Father," that "right hand" is graciously active throughout Creation, creating and sustaining life, forgiving sins, and guiding, guarding, and directing the believers through Word and Holy Spirit. Anticipate the coming observation of the Feast of Pentecost, since the Holy Ghost only came after the Savior physically departed this earth. And receive with joy the same body and blood that ascended to the Father and rules all things each time you receive the Lord's Supper. If more people thought like this, maybe we'd see a few more friends in church with us on Easter's Fortieth Day. Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from ~The Holy Bible, English Standard Version~, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Ask the Pastor, © 2003 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced in totality, including this disclaimer, by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said republication and redistribution. Translations into other languages should similarly note the United States and any appropriate international copyrights, as well as God's Scriptural injunctions concerning the property of others. Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."