Christmas Time is Here Again

What is God stirring in your heart this Holiday Season for your congregation? Maybe you will highlight a few of those Christmas Hymns that are so near to your church’s heart. Maybe you will have a celebration service incorporating the worship of your church through the arts. Maybe you will have a Christmas choir, a powerful retelling of the meaning of Christmas, a group of carolers singing through your neighborhoods, or maybe you will share a meal with your church - all in honor of the birth of our King. This King came as a lowly newborn baby in a humble manger in a little town long ago. What an incredible paradox! The King of Kings and Lord of Lords entered this earth humbly. I can’t help but think of Matthew 23:12.

This Christmas Season let us ‘make much’ of our King and welcome Him with great celebration and joyful hearts! Let us exalt Him through our singing and join with the Angels as the ‘official messengers of His good news’ or the "herald" worshipers:

           

Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations rise. Join the triumph of the skies.
With the angelic host proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

New song for Easter! 'Christ the Lord' by Paul Baloche

So excited to sing this song on Easter morning. "Christ the Lord" is a wonderful new song by Paul Baloche echoing the meaning and essence of the hymn "Christ the Lord is Risen Today".

Here is a video from Paul explaining how to play it. One of the many practical videos that Paul has offered to the worship community displaying his heart for seeing worship leaders equipped for ministry. You can find more at leadworship.com or just search for his videos on Youtube.



The Lyrics are great and give a "sing a new song unto the Lord" feel to this hymn which is seen as foundational to many worshipers. Plus it is fun to play and sing!

Let's do a comparison!

Christ The Lord

VERSE 1
Son of God proved His love
That while we were sinners Jesus died for us
No more shame, no more fear
Our Savior is alive for ever, God is near

CHORUS
Christ the Lord is risen today
The Lamb of God has taken our sins away
Love's redeeming work is done
Raise Your voice! The King has overcome
Hallelu- jah, Hallelu- jah

VERSE 2
By His grace, long ago
Our sins were as scarlet, now they're white as snow
Love was nailed to the cross
His dying and His rising has changed our hearts

CHORUS

BRIDGE
Made like Him, like Him we'll rise
Ours the cross, the grave, the sky
(Repeat)

CHORUS
Christ the Lord is risen today
The Lamb of God has taken our sins away
Love's redeeming work is done
Raise Your voice! The King has overcome, Hallelujah!
Christ the Lord is risen today
The Lamb of God has taken our sins away
Love's redeeming work is done
Raise Your voice! The King has overcome
Hallelu- jah, Hallelu- jah
Oh, Hallelujah!


Here are the lyrics from the original Hymn to compare. The bolded parts are common themes the underlined are direct quotes, and the italics are places where Paul captured the 'overtones' of the meaning:


Christ the Lord is Risen Today

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! 

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! 

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! 
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia! 
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia! 
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia! 

[the last two lesser sung stanzas - not in the hymnal at my church]

     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!


All in all, I feel that Paul did a great job bringing new life to this hymn's legacy with Christ the Lord. For people like me to did not grow up singing these hymns, songs like these are much welcomed because we need to hold on to the great content and truths that have stood the test of time. Yet, we get to do so in a way that is enjoyable to us! With lyrics that bring clarity and not mystery.

Thanks Paul, looking forward to this Easter!

Luke

PS> Another great song this Easter (while we are on the topic of hymns) is Evan Wickham's He's Alive. Take a look at that when you get a chance! Great chorus with addicting melodies to "I Know That My Redeemer Lives".