Jesus Christ is Risen Today
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
The hymn proclaims Christ's resurrection as the fundamental victory over sin and death, central to Lutheran soteriology and eschatology. Its repeated 'Alleluias' express the joy of redemption and the cosmic significance of Easter for Christian hope and renewal.
History & Background
This hymn originated in Germany, appearing in the Lyra Davidica collection of 1695 with both German and English texts. The English translation became one of the most recognizable Easter hymns in Anglo-American Protestantism.
Hymnal Appearances
- Baptist Hymnal — 270
- Chalice Hymnal — 222
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 365
- Gather 4th Edition — 556
- Glory to God — 232
- The Hymnal 1982 — 207
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 151
- Lutheran Service Book — 457
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 171
- Lutheran Worship — 127
- New Century Hymnal — 230
- Trinity Hymnal — 277
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 199
- United Methodist Hymnal — 302
- Voices Together — 394
- With One Voice — 680
Translation
Bulletin Note
This anonymous hymn from 1695 combines the medieval Latin 'Surrexit Christus hodie' with the spirited English tune Easter Hymn. Its cascading Alleluias capture the Church's ancient, unquenchable Easter joy.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the proclamation of Christ's resurrection from doctrine into doxology, inviting the congregation to move from hearing the Gospel of Easter to embodying its joy and eternal hope through song.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law (death's consequence) → Gospel (Christ's resurrection victory) → Application (our risen life in Christ) → Doxological response (rejoicing in the Risen Lord)
Themes
Resurrection of Christ Victory over death Joy and triumph Alleluia Hope in Christ