for us the price of Adam's sin to our eternal
Father! This is our pass-over feast, when Christ,
the true Lamb is slain, whose blood consecrates the
homes of all believers. This is the night when first
you saved our fathers: you freed the people of Israel
from their slavery and led them dry-shod through
the sea.
This is the night when the pillar of fire destroyed the
darkness of sin! This is the night when Christians
everywhere, washed clean of sin and freed from all
defilement, are restored to grace and grow together
in holiness. This is the night when Jesus Christ
broke the chains of death and rose triumphant from
the grave. What good would life have been to us,
had Christ not come as our Redeemer?
Father, how wonderful your care for us!
How boundless your merciful love! To ransom a
slave you gave away your Son. O happy fault,
O necessary sin of Adam, which gained for us so great a
Redeemer! Most blessed of all nights; chosen by God to  see Christ rising from the dead! Of this night
scripture says: "The night will be as clear as day: it
will become my light, my joy." The power of this holy
night dispels all evil, washes guilt away, restores lost  innocence, brings mourners joy; it casts out hatred,  brings us peace, and humbles earthly pride.
Night truly blessed when heaven is wedded to earth,
and man is reconciled with God! Therefore,
heavenly Father, in the joy of this night, receive our
evening sacrifice of praise, your Church's solemn
offering. Accept this Easter candle, a flame divided but  undimmed, a pillar of fire that glows to the honor
of God. Let it mingle with the lights of heaven and
continue bravely burning to dispel the darkness of this