Such occasions are often accompanied by the lighting of candles.

They seem to speak to every culture and appeal to people of all faiths and of none.

They are lit on birthday cakes and to mark family anniversaries when we gather

happily around a source of light.

It unites us.

As darkness falls on the Saturday before Easter day,

many Christians would normally light candles together.

In church, one light would pass to another spreading slowly and then

more rapidly as more candles are lit.

It's a way of showing how the good news of Christ's resurrection has been

passed on from the first Easter by every generation until now.

This year, Easter will be different for many of us, but by

keeping apart we keep others safe.

But Easter isn't cancelled.

Indeed we need Easter as much as ever.

The discovery of the risen Christ from the first Easter day

gave his followers new hope and fresh purpose

and we can all take heart from this.

We know that coronavirus will not overcome us.

As dark as death can be,

particularly for those suffering with grief light and life are greater.

May the living flame of the Easter hope be a steady guide as we face the future

I wish everyone of all faiths and denominations a blessed Easter.