The Feast of the Ascension, in Lutheran circles, is unfortunately not widely celebrated, as it probably once was. Although, in a small way I have noticed that it had an impact on our forefathers based on traditional altar art and statuary. Even though my church has not yet opened for 'in-person' worship (our first service scheduled for May 31), I will have a live streamed Ascension Day service of the Word tomorrow night. I have noted in my circuit over the years that I seem to be the last one still holding on to this honored festival. Admittedly, it does not have the 'pull' of the more well known festival times. However, it is still a high point of the Easter season and should not be overlooked, especially this year. For having observed the passion and suffering of our Lord, then His glorious resurrection, now we see Him assume his rightful place at the right hand of the Father where He intercedes for us. Victory, not defeat.
Ascensiontide is part of an 'enthronement festival' where the coronation of Christ is celebrated, and by extension, for those 'in Christ,' the enthronement of God's people as well. John Chrysostom declared that "our very nature...is enthroned today high above all cherubim." The Collect of the Day reflects this when we pray: "so we may also in heart and mind ascend and continually dwell there with Him..."
These themes are brought out in such hymns as "Up Through the Ranks of Angels by Jaroslav Vajda (LSB #491) or "On Christ's Ascension I Now Build" (LSB #492) or "A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing" (LSB #493) or "See, the Lord Ascends in Triumph" (LSB #494) or "Look, Ye Saints, the Sight is Glorious" (LSB #495). With the Ascension we anticipate our Lord's return in glory and the final resurrection where death is swallowed up forever. We celebrate the sign of His conquering and triumph over sin and death and Satan. What an appropriate festival for this time of crisis so full of sickness and death! Instead of looking only to our present suffering, we are called to look heavenward in faithful anticipation of what we know is yet to come. We look to the heavens not in sadness, but in joy: "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven" (Acts 1:11).
As a festival of the church it was celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter already by the fourth century. St. Augustine claimed that it was at his time celebrated "all over the world."