"Christ the Lord is Risen Today" is an Easter hymn written by Charles Wesley, co-founder of the Methodist Movement. It was first published in the Foundry's Collection – "hymns set to music as they are commonly sung at the Foundry" and originally entitled "Hymn for Easter Day" consisting of eleven four-line stanzas.
The composer of the music has never been identified. The tune first appeared in the Lyra Davidica hymnal anonymously. This was published in London in 1708. The "alleluia" at the end of each line was not written by Wesley but added by an editor to fit the text to the tune. "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" is among the most popular and loved hymns sung in Christian worship, particularly, on Easter.
Hymnwriter Charles Wesley
Charles Wesley was born on 18th December 1707, in Epworth, Lincolnshire. He studied at Christ Church College, Oxford, where he formed a small group of fellow students the 'Oxford Methodists', or the 'Holy Club', later joined by his brother John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church.
In 1735, he was ordained and accompanied John Wesley to Georgia as secretary to governor James Oglethorpe, returning to England just the following year. He was the tireless lieutenant of his more famous brother.
The brothers Wesley founded the Methodist church. Like many people at that time, they found the worship in the Church of England quite tedious and monotonous, so they launched the movement with a renewed emphasis on emotional involvement, singing and studying the Bible.
Charles Wesley died on March 29, 1788. Many of his hymns remain as popular and as favorites among Christians.
Charles Wesley's Other Best Loved Favorite Hymns
Charles Wesley didn't always agree with his brother John on some matters relating to religious convictions. After an evangelical conversion in 1738, he wrote hundreds of hymns, scripture-based songs, including such well-loved favorites such as:
- Jesus, Lover of my Soul
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
- Love Divine, all Loves Excelling.
In the spirit of Easter celebration, "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" is remembered, one usually sung in Christian churches on Easter Sunday. Charles Wesley wrote this hymn for the first service in the Wesleyan Chapel in London, England in 1739, one year after his dramatic Aldersgate conversion experience. The first chapel was a deserted iron foundry, which became known as the Foundry Meeting House.
Christ the Lord is Risen Today(first stanza)
"Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say: Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply: Alleluia!"
Recommended Charles Wesley Links:
Sources:
101 Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications (1982)
Together in Song, by Wesley Milgate and D'Arcy Wood, AustralianHymn Book Pty (2000)
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