From Sacred Stillness to Resurrection Joy: Reading Through Lent and Easter

Kendyl LeMahieu
2026-02-16T09:35:03-05:00

The journey from Lent to Easter is one of the most meaningful rhythms in the Christian calendar.

It begins in quiet repentance and reflection. A sober awareness of our sin and our need for a Savior. And it culminates in celebration, hope, and the triumphant declaration that Jesus Christ is alive.

This sacred season invites us to slow down, to pay attention, and to walk intentionally with Christ. From the wilderness to the cross, and from the tomb to resurrection joy. One of the most meaningful ways to do that is through prayerful, Christ-centered reading. The right book can deepen our understanding, stir our affections, and help us experience both the weight of Good Friday and the wonder of Easter morning.

Here are several rich companions for the journey.

Entering Lent: Following the Crucified King

Lent calls us not just to pause, but to follow.

Friend of Sinners: Lent Devotions on Following the Crucified King by Elyse Fitzpatrick centers our hearts on the One who walked steadily toward Calvary for us. These devotions trace Christ’s ministry and mission with clarity and gospel depth, reminding us that the “friend of sinners” came precisely for people like us. Fitzpatrick draws readers into honest repentance while holding out the steady hope of grace. Lent becomes not merely a season of self-denial, but a season of renewed gratitude for the mercy of the Crucified King.

For readers who want to spend the 40 days of Lent lingering over personal encounters with Jesus, Draw Close to Jesus: 40 Encounters with the Savior for the Sacred Season of Lent by Heidi Chiavaroli offers daily reflections rooted in Scripture. Each meditation invites you into a moment from Christ’s life. A conversation, a miracle, a teaching that encourages you to see yourself in the story. It’s an accessible and heartfelt way to cultivate closeness with the Savior as we prepare our hearts for the cross.

If you’re looking for reflections specifically focused on Christ’s suffering and sacrifice, On Calvary's Hill by Max Lucado provides thoughtful meditations on what Jesus accomplished through His death. Lucado’s pastoral tone helps readers consider the cost of redemption and the depth of God’s love displayed at Calvary. It’s a powerful companion for the weeks leading into Holy Week.

Standing at the Cross: The Depth of Christ’s Love

As Lent progresses, our focus sharpens. We walk with Christ toward Jerusalem. We sit in the quiet gravity of Good Friday.

Few voices articulate the wonder of Christ’s sacrifice more powerfully than Charles Spurgeon. In What Depth of Love, Spurgeon reflects on the immeasurable love revealed at the cross. His words are both convicting and comforting, reminding us that Christ’s sacrifice was not abstract or distant it was intentional, personal, and rooted in steadfast love.

Lent teaches us not to rush past this moment. We must stand beneath the cross before we can fully rejoice at the empty tomb.

Easter Morning: Resurrection Joy for Every Heart

Then comes the joy.

Easter is not simply the conclusion of Lent. It is the proclamation that death has been defeated and hope has been secured forever.

To explore the people whose lives were forever changed by that first Easter, The Characters of Easter by Daniel Darling examines the individuals who witnessed the resurrection. By reflecting on figures like Peter, Mary Magdalene, and Thomas, Darling helps us see how the risen Christ meets people in their fear, doubt, grief, and longing, and transforms them with hope.

For families, Easter offers a beautiful opportunity to share this hope with children in memorable and meaningful ways.

God's Colorful Easter by Esau McCaulley celebrates the vibrant, world-changing joy of resurrection morning. With rich imagery and accessible storytelling, it helps children see Easter as part of God’s grand story of redemption. A promise fulfilled in living color through the risen Christ.

And for younger readers, Easter in the Barnyard offers a gentle and engaging introduction to the Easter story. Through a simple, child-friendly setting, it communicates the truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection in a way little ones can grasp, making it a sweet addition to family traditions during Holy Week.

Reading together during this season plants seeds of faith that last far beyond Easter Sunday.

Making the Season Meaningful

At Baker Book House, we love seeing how the right book can shape a season. Lent and Easter invite us to be intentional. To choose readings that deepen repentance, stir worship, and anchor us in resurrection hope.

You might consider:

Beginning Lent with Friend of Sinners or Draw Close to Jesus.

Reflecting on Christ’s sacrifice with On Calvary’s Hill or What Depth of Love during Holy Week.

Exploring resurrection hope through The Characters of Easter.

Creating meaningful family reading moments with God’s Colorful Easter or Easter in the Barnyard.

From following the Crucified King to celebrating the Risen Lord, this season tells the greatest story ever told. A story of love, sacrifice, and victory.

As you journey from ashes to alleluia, may your reading draw you closer to the Savior who gave Himself for us and rose again in glory.