Hymns for Easter Sunday

Christ Is Risen! Christ is risen indeed! These familiar words are often heard in churches all over the United States on Easter morning, the day we celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To further celebrate, many churches 'pull out all the stops' and sing any number of inspiring, joy-filled hymns about the resurrection. Here are my top four Easter hymns that I'm hoping to sing this Easter season .

Christ the Lord Is Risen Today. I love to hear the strains of Alleluia! throughout the sanctuary celebrating Christ's glorious resurrection. Written by Charles Wesley in 1739, this hymn is a beautiful call to worship for Easter Morning. What a triumphant way to start your worship service: "Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!" http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh302.sht

Up From the Grave He Arose. The words and music of this classic hymn were written in 1874 by Robert Lowry. The musical contrast between the short, solemn verses, and the jubilant chorus echo the three days Christ spent in the tomb, and the amazing miracle of His resurrection. "Low in the grave he lay, Jesus, my Savior,waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord! Up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph o'er his foes, he arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever with his saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!" Many churches will sing the chorus one extra time, a capella, dwelling on those world-changing words, "Hallelujah! Christ arose!" http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh322.sht

To God Be the Glory. Fanny Crosby was a very prolific hymn writer, despite her blindness. She wrote the words to this popular hymn in 1875, the same year that William H. Doane wrote the music. Certainly it is appropriate to sing all year round, although it has an extra special meaning at Easter time. " To God be the glory, great things he hath done! So loved he the world that he gave us his son, who yielded his life an atonement for sin, and opened the lifegate that all may go in. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear his voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice! O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son, and give him the glory, great things he hath done!" http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh098.sht

He Lives. Rather contemporary for an old favorite hymn, "He Lives" was written in 1933 by Alfred H. Ackley. I can almost hear the strains of singing and hear the trumpets playing. It's hard not to feel the joy of the resurrection when singing this hymn: "He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way. He lives, he live, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart!" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He_Lives