Why Should Christmas Have All the Good Music?: Celebrating Easter Music
Why do radio stations (sacred and secular alike) play Christmas songs for the entire month of December, yet you have to search high and low to find any station playing Easter music? Why do churches sing Christmas songs every Sunday in December, yet we are lucky if we sing one song each Sunday that includes the story of the Resurrection? I might be overstating things a bit, but I think you get my point.
We have done a poor job of making Easter the preeminent Christian celebration on the calendar. We treat it as if it is almost just another Sunday. Shame on us! As you might have noticed, we here at Rambling Ever On feel that Easter is without equal. Of all Holy days, we should celebrate this one more fully and more passionately. So, to that end, here are some of our favorite Easter themed songs and hymns. Vote for your three favorites. Or, you can vote for the “Other” option and list your favorites in the comment section.
Let us celebrate Easter. Let us look forward to it as we do Christmas. Because without Easter, Christmas is just a nice story about a poor young woman giving birth to a baby in a foreign town.
Pick your 3 favorite Easter songs.
- In Christ Alone (17%, 16 Votes)
- Up From The Grave He Arose (13%, 12 Votes)
- How Deep The Father's Love For Us (12%, 11 Votes)
- Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me) (11%, 10 Votes)
- Because He Lives (10%, 9 Votes)
- Christ the Lord is Risen Today (8%, 7 Votes)
- Other (8%, 7 Votes)
- Was It a Morning Like This? (7%, 6 Votes)
- There is a Fountain (5%, 5 Votes)
- Because He Lives (Amen) (Matt Maher version) (5%, 5 Votes)
- Easter Song (4%, 4 Votes)
Total Voters: 34
- Whiteheart Retrospective – Part 13: The Other Songs - September 12, 2024
- Whiteheart Retrospective – Part 12: Redemption - August 28, 2024
- Whiteheart Retrospective – Part 11: Inside - August 21, 2024
I voted for In Christ Alone, Was It a Morning Like This, and Other. My other is Grave Robber by Petra. I didn’t include it in the poll because I figured there wouldn’t be many that would remember it.
I voted for Because He Lives, Was It a Morning Like This?, and “other” which would be Via Delarosa.
My problem – I love them all! It was hard to pick just three.
Agreed. There are some very good Easter songs.
Phill,
I’d have to divide it into two parts; one songs about the crucifixion, and two, songs about the resurrection. On the crucifixion, “There is a Fountain,” “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us,” and ” even though it’s broader in scope “In Christ Alone.” For the resurrection, “Up From the Grave He Arose,” “Because He Lives,” and “The Easter Song.” If I did this tomorrow, there would be some changes. And “The Grave Robber” has to be in there, too!
Great comment. Agree.
I love Easter Song. Get’s me excited about the resurrection every time! I also voted for Because He Lives and Up From The Grave He Arose.
I love My Redeemer Lives, by Nicole Mullin!!
Oh that’s a good one for sure.
I had a hard time voting–I like them all! But ended up voting for “Glorious Day” and “Up from the Grave He Arose.” For my third I voted “other” with Newsong’s “Arise My Love” in mind.
Oh my, “Arise, My Love” is absolutely powerful. It really is hard to limit it to just 2-3 songs, when there are so many. In talking with Lázaro yesterday, he mentioned “At the Cross” as one that’s much loved and oft sung in Latin America, and he’s so right. And while I’m “rambling,” let me mention that I thrill at the revival of the song “One Day.” It’s a much older hymn, which Casting Crowns took and remade into a powerful worship ballad, loved by the younger generations. Is that cool, or what?
The modern revival of older songs is a trend I really love.
A few newer songs I love:
1) Buried In The Grave – All Sons & Daughters
2) Death In His Grave – Audrey Assad (John Mark McMillan cover)
3) Man of Sorrows – Hillsong
4) Christ Is Risen – Matt Maher
Anything by Audrey Assad – and John Mark McMillan – are right in my wheelhouse.
Matt Maher has done a couple of older songs, changing them significantly but still keeping the heart of the old version: Lord I need you (which sounds a lot like “I Need Thee Every Hour” at parts) and “Because He Lives” are at least two. I like his work. And “Christ Is Risen” by him is also good.
I ran across a couple more songs on the passion of Christ that need to be on any list. One is the simple, yet powerful “Nothing But the Blood.” The other, is, I think, one of the greatest ever – by Isaac Watts: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” What powerful theology and testimony.
Oh wow. That was an oversight. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross should have been on the master list.
I just discovered the Man of Sorrows cover by Shane and Shane. It’s my favorite that I’ve heard so far.
I just thought of yet another song – “Beautiful, Scandalous Night,” One of my all-time favorites, with strong, memorable lyrics, and lovely music.
Yes! Can’t believe I forgot that one. One of the most beautiful and most well-written songs ever.