Hymn Desk
Hymn Texts /

Christ is Alive Let Christians Sing

Christ is alive! Let Christians sing

The hymn celebrates the living Christ who continues to work in the world through his Church, reflecting Lutheran emphasis on Christ's ongoing presence and activity. It balances objective Easter proclamation with subjective Christian response and witness, central to Lutheran understanding of salvation's effects.

History & Background

Written by Brian Wren in 1974, this contemporary Easter hymn was first published in the hymnal 'Praise God' and subsequently included in Lutheran Book of Worship (1978). It represents modern hymnody's emphasis on active Christian discipleship and the living presence of Christ.

Brian A. Wren wrote the text in Hockley, Essex, England, during April of 1968. Wren writes: Scripture References st j = Zech. 8:18-23 It was written for Easter Sunday, two weeks after the assassina­ tion of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I could not let Easter go by without speaking of this tragic event which was on all our minds.... The hymn tries to see God’s love winning over tragedy and suffering in the world.... There is tension and tragedy in these words, notjust Easter rejoicing. First published in the British supplement New Church Praise (1975), the text was revised by Wren in 1978. “Christ Is Alive” is a joyful celebration of Christ’s resurrection (st. 1) and of his personal rule in a human world in which pain, war, and injustice abound (st. 2-4). Christ’s transcendent and immanent reign is empowered by the Holy Spirit and will ultimately bring about a new creation (st. 5). 573 THE PSALMS, BIBLE SONGS, AND HYMNS

Hymnal Appearances

  • Chalice Hymnal — 222
  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 389
  • Glory to God — 246
  • The Hymnal 1982 — 182
  • Lutheran Book of Worship — 363
  • Lift Up Your Hearts — 198
  • New Century Hymnal — 230
  • Psalter Hymnal — 413
  • United Methodist Hymnal — 318
  • Voices Together — 280

Liturgical Use

Easter; Ascension; other worship services that focus on contemporary human condi­ tions.

Bulletin Note

Written in 1974 by Brian Wren, this contemporary Easter hymn moves beyond resurrection nostalgia to proclaim Christ's continuing presence and work through the Church in today's world—a hallmark of Reformation theology.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Lutheran paradox: Christ's objective resurrection victory frees us for subjective engagement in the world's suffering, turning Gospel proclamation into concrete acts of love and justice.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christ's resurrection transforms past memory into present encounter, empowering Spirit-filled witness and costly service to a broken world

Themes

Resurrection Living Christ Christian witness Hope and joy Incarnational theology

Look Further