Easter Thoughts: Hymnbook style
There are quite a few Hymns we sing in my church that have to do with articulating our faith in Jesus Christ (well, actually all of them do) and his Resurrection (most). It's interesting to me how differently these songs affect me, while all having similar lyrics.
Today, we sang "I know that my Redeemer Lives." This song talks of the love and peace and comfort that this truth brings. In every sentence comes a tribute to how Jesus Christ makes our lives more livable ("comfort me when faint", "grants me daily breath", "silence all my fears", "calm my troubled heart"). Sometimes when I sing this song, it really increases my gratitude for the depth of the Savior's love for all of us, to do all of those things. Even more importantly, we can live again with our Heavenly Father, and overcome this lives trials and tribulations because He lives. "Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives; I know that my Redeemer Lives." This song has really touched me at different points in my life because I think that it does speak to the individuality of our relationship with Him.
Another hymn "I Believe in Christ" is a regularly sung favorite. For me, this song articulates the depth of emotion involved with living life. It speaks of Christ's divinity and life mission, and then explains why one would want to worship Him: "He is the source of truth and light." "I believe in Christ, He ransoms me." Life is not easy, but believing in Christ makes it endurable. This song doesn't argue that it goes away; we still have to struggle. "And while I strive through grief and pain, His voice is heard: Ye shall obtain." Finally, something that I always believe and strive to follow is the idea that "I believe in Christ, so come what may." Or as Apostle Joseph B. Wirthlin would say, "Come what may and love it." This song also leaves me triumphing with the knowledge that the act of belief is a huge part of faith.
"How Great Thou Art" is sung almost every Easter (well, at least it was sung last Easter as well as this one). The first two verses talk about the works and wonders of God's creation which really speak to the little part of me that's truly granola. The third verse, "And when I think, that God His son not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in, that on the cross my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin." It ends on a more joyous note, with our eventual return to live with our Heavenly Father. "Then sings my soul" closely explains how I feel when I sing this song. It also happens to be a family favorite (Grandma's, Mom's, Uncle's).
And finally, the one that was sung every Easter until I was a teenager, and is probably not sung now because I've been in singles wards with other young people who have grown up somewhat jaded by the far too often sung hymn "I Stand All Amazed." If there truly was an Easter hymn to be sung, this would be the one. "Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me. I tremble to know that for me He was crucified," explaining so fully the need for a Savior, the confusion that we would be so loved that He would suffer so much for just one of us to return to Heaven. Especially when "to rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine. That He should extend his great love unto such as I," I feel that way so often. It's on a frequent basis that I don't fully accept and apply the atonement in my life yet, He still died for me. "I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt, such mercy such love and devotion can I forget?" I hope not.
So, He is Risen. My Reedeemer lives.
Happy Easter.
Today, we sang "I know that my Redeemer Lives." This song talks of the love and peace and comfort that this truth brings. In every sentence comes a tribute to how Jesus Christ makes our lives more livable ("comfort me when faint", "grants me daily breath", "silence all my fears", "calm my troubled heart"). Sometimes when I sing this song, it really increases my gratitude for the depth of the Savior's love for all of us, to do all of those things. Even more importantly, we can live again with our Heavenly Father, and overcome this lives trials and tribulations because He lives. "Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives; I know that my Redeemer Lives." This song has really touched me at different points in my life because I think that it does speak to the individuality of our relationship with Him.
Another hymn "I Believe in Christ" is a regularly sung favorite. For me, this song articulates the depth of emotion involved with living life. It speaks of Christ's divinity and life mission, and then explains why one would want to worship Him: "He is the source of truth and light." "I believe in Christ, He ransoms me." Life is not easy, but believing in Christ makes it endurable. This song doesn't argue that it goes away; we still have to struggle. "And while I strive through grief and pain, His voice is heard: Ye shall obtain." Finally, something that I always believe and strive to follow is the idea that "I believe in Christ, so come what may." Or as Apostle Joseph B. Wirthlin would say, "Come what may and love it." This song also leaves me triumphing with the knowledge that the act of belief is a huge part of faith.
"How Great Thou Art" is sung almost every Easter (well, at least it was sung last Easter as well as this one). The first two verses talk about the works and wonders of God's creation which really speak to the little part of me that's truly granola. The third verse, "And when I think, that God His son not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in, that on the cross my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin." It ends on a more joyous note, with our eventual return to live with our Heavenly Father. "Then sings my soul" closely explains how I feel when I sing this song. It also happens to be a family favorite (Grandma's, Mom's, Uncle's).
And finally, the one that was sung every Easter until I was a teenager, and is probably not sung now because I've been in singles wards with other young people who have grown up somewhat jaded by the far too often sung hymn "I Stand All Amazed." If there truly was an Easter hymn to be sung, this would be the one. "Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me. I tremble to know that for me He was crucified," explaining so fully the need for a Savior, the confusion that we would be so loved that He would suffer so much for just one of us to return to Heaven. Especially when "to rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine. That He should extend his great love unto such as I," I feel that way so often. It's on a frequent basis that I don't fully accept and apply the atonement in my life yet, He still died for me. "I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt, such mercy such love and devotion can I forget?" I hope not.
So, He is Risen. My Reedeemer lives.
Happy Easter.
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