I was thinking the other day, why is it we remember so many Christmas carols and not so many Easter carols? Don't misunderstand, I love Christmas carols. But shouldn't Easter music be more special to Christ followers than Christmas music? If I asked you to name 5 popular Christmas carols you would have no problem.
On the other hand, how about Easter? Can you name 5 Easter hymns? It's a little tougher, isn't it? Why is that?
Of all the seasons in the church calendar, Easter should be the most joyous. It should be the time when songs of joy flood our hearts and dominate our minds. Jesus is alive! Let's sing about it!
I remember as a kid growing up in the Baptist church, every Easter we would sing a hymn called, "Up from the grave He arose". I liked that song because it started out slow and sad and ended fast and happy.

Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior, waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior, vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!
Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior; he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!
(chorus)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!

Those last three He arose phrases got up into the stratosphere! It added to the excitement.

Another great Easter song is "Christ the Lord is Risen today!" I love verse two:

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia! Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

And then there's "He Lives" with that great closing refrain:

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me and talks with me along lifes narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart. You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

There's alot of joy in those songs because there's alot of joy in Easter.

Because He lives (another great Easter carol),
Pastor Tim