Christ the Lord is Risen Again
Christ the Lord is risen again
This hymn proclaims the central Christian affirmation of Christ's bodily resurrection as the foundation of salvation and Christian assurance. The text reflects Lutheran emphasis on the objective, historical reality of the Resurrection as the defeat of sin, death, and the devil.
History & Background
Michael Weisse, a Bohemian Brethren hymnodist, wrote this Easter hymn in German as 'Christ ist erstanden' around 1531. Catherine Winkworth translated it into English in 1863 for her influential collection, making it widely available to English-speaking Lutherans.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 373
- The Hymnal 1982 — 184
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 139
- Lutheran Service Book — 461
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 197
- Lutheran Worship — 147
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 190
Translation
Bach Cantatas
- BWV 6: Stay with us for evening is coming (1725)
- BWV 66: Rejoice, you hearts (1724)
Bulletin Note
Composed by Michael Weisse in 1531, this German Reformation hymn captures the joyful certainty of Christ's bodily resurrection. Its sturdy melody and direct proclamation made it a cornerstone of Lutheran Easter worship.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the abstract proclamation of resurrection into lived assurance, embodying how the Gospel of Christ's victory over sin and death moves the hearer from fear to confidence and praise.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law (death's chains) → Gospel (resurrection victory) → Exhortation (new life in Christ) → Doxology (cosmic praise)
Themes
Resurrection of Christ Victory over death Easter joy Redemption Christian hope