Tomorrow for Resurrection Sunday many will sing Charles Wesley’s great hymn, Christ the Lord Is Risen Today (my sympathies if you don’t!). Wesley wrote the hymn in 1739 for the first service of the Foundry Meeting House in London – the first chapel for Methodists who followed the Wesleys. The hymn was originally written without the alleluias, which were added later by an unknown editor. Most hymnals only have four stanzas, but below you will find ten, though only the first seven were written by Wesley. The last three come from the 14th Century and were translated from Latin. These last three stanzas are found in many hymnals under the name, Jesus Christ is Risen Today. Both hymns share the same tune – Lyra Davidica.
Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Lo! the Sun’s eclipse is over, Alleluia!
Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!
Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Hail, the Lord of earth and Heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail, the resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
But the pains that He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He’s King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Last week I posted some daily Passion Week reflections. Below are some reflections for Easter and the following week to help us ponder what Christ’s resurrection means to us:
How can we direct our conversations this Easter time toward Jesus and what he did for us? Whether you are talking to a co-worker, classmate, neighbor, friend, or family member, how can you lead your discussions toward the cross and empty tomb? Donald Whitney suggests several questions to guide our conversations toward Jesus:
What was your favorite Easter tradition as a child?
Why do you think people celebrate the resurrection of Jesus?
Easter bunnies, easter eggs, easter baskets, candy, gifts, and so much more. Nothing wrong with these things in and of themselves. But they can be a distraction from the true meaning of Easter. In the midst of all these things, how can we help our children focus on what Easter is really all about? Thriving Family magazine offers daily crafts and activities to do together as a family during Passion Week to help your family focus on Christ. Check it out here.
Thought I would pass on an outreach resource for this coming Easter. Two years ago, Crossway put together Christmas packets that included a New Testament, tract, customizable invitation, and bag. Our church used them this past Christmas, adding some home made cookies and going through our small town caroling. We also encouraged church families to deliver them to their neighbors or co-workers.
Crossway now has Easter packets with the same components plus an audio New Testament CD. Our church is planning to hand them out to neighbors around the church, as well as to families that come to our annual kids Easter Egg Hunt. If you are interested, you can find out more info here.
Brian J. Mikul 