Above:  Descent from the Cross

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Pilgrim Hymnal (1904), National Council of Congregational Churches in the United States

Text (1893) by Theodore Claudius Pease (1853-1893)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

O Lord of life, once laid in Joseph’s tomb,

Around Thy grave the garden bursts in bloom,

Thy glory breaks the world’s long night of gloom.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

+++++

Thou for us all didst hang upon the tree;

The burden of our sins was borne by Thee;

Thy stripes have healed, Thy sorrows set us free.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

+++++

Now all is o’er,–Thy toil, Thy grief, Thy pain;

The veil of death by Thee is rent in twain;

Thine earthly loss is our eternal gain.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

+++++

Henceforth, through hours of ease and days of care,

Help us with Thee our daily cross to bear,

Strong in Thy strength, and brave Thy cup to share.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

+++++

When through dark vales our lonely pathway lies,

Though hearts may faint, and tears may dim our eyes,

Thy light shall guide our footsteps to the skies.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

+++++

And when, at last, our work on earth is o’er,

Lead us where Thou hast trod the path before,

Through death to life with Thee forevermore!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Resurrection Icon

Image Source = Wikipedia

Hymn Source = The Hymnal 1982, of The Episcopal Church

Words by Charles Wesley (1707-1788), a priest of The Church of England

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1.  Come away to the skies,

my beloved, arise

and rejoice in the day thou wast born;

on this festival day,

come exulting away,

and with singing to Zion return.

2.  Now with singing and praise,

let us spend all the days,

by our heavenly Father bestowed,

while his grace we receive

from his bounty, and live

to the honor and glory of God.

3.  For the glory we were

first created to share,

both the nature

and kingdom divine!

Now created again

that our lives may remain,

throughout time and eternity thine.

4.  We with thanks do approve

the design of that love

which hath joined us to Jesus’ Name;

so united in heart,

let us nevermore part,

till we meet at the feast of the Lamb.

5.  Hallelujah we sing,

to our Father and King,

and his rapturous praises, repeat:

to the Lamb that was slain,

hallulujah again,

sing, all heaven, and fall at his feet.

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/great-vigil-of-easter-year-a/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/first-day-of-easter-easter-sunday-year-a-principal-service/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/first-day-of-easter-easter-sunday-years-a-b-and-c-evening-service/

Harrowing of Hell Mosaic

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Hymnal 1916 (1918), The Episcopal Church

Original words in Latin; English translation by Francis Pott (1832-1909), a priest of The Church of England

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Antiphon:

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

1.  The strife is o’er, the battle done,

The victory of life is won;

The song of triumph has begun.

Alleluia!

2.  The powers of death have done their worst,

But Christ their legions hath dispersed:

Let shout of holy joy outburst.

Alleluia!

3.  The three sad days are quickly sped,

He rises glorious from the dead:

All glory to our risen Head!

Alleluia!

4.  He closed the yawning gates of hell,

The bars from heavens high portals fell;

Let hymns of praise his triumphs tell!

Alleluia!

5.  Lord! by the stripes which wounded thee,

From death’s dread sting thy servants free,

That we may live and sing to thee.

Antiphon:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/first-day-of-easter-easter-sunday-year-b-principal-service/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/great-vigil-of-easter-year-a/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/first-day-of-easter-easter-sunday-year-a-principal-service/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/first-day-of-easter-easter-sunday-years-a-b-and-c-evening-service/

Resurrection Window

Image Source = Wikipedia

Hymn Source = The Hymnal 1982, of The Episcopal Church

Words by Cyril A. Alington (1872-1955), Dean of Durham (1933-1951); and Norman Mealy (1923-1987), an Episcopal Church musical liturgist

I have corrected the first line to make it what Alington wrote.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1.  Good Christian men, rejoice and sing!

Now is the triumph of our King!

To all the world glad news we bring:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

2.  The Lord of life is risen today!

Sing songs of praise along his way;

let all the earth rejoice and say:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

3.  Praise we in songs of victory

that love, that life which cannot die,

and sing with hearts uplifted high:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

4.  Your Name we bless, O risen Lord,

and sing today with one accord

the life laid down, the life restored:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

5.  To God the Father, God the Son,

to God the Spirit, always One,

we sing for life in us begun:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Resurrection Relief, Worms Cathedral, Worms, Germany

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Hymnal 1982, of The Episcopal Church

The original Latin words date to the 400s, but the English translation is the one in The Hymnal 1940, of The Episcopal Church.  One of the perks of being an Episcopalian is using a hymnal that contains truly ancient hymns.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1.  That Easter day with joy was bright,

the sun shone out with fairer light,

when, to their longing eyes restored,

the apostles saw their risen Lord.

2.  His risen flesh with radiance glowed;

his wounded hands and feet he showed;

those scars their solemn witness gave

that Christ was risen from the grave.

3.  O Jesus, King of gentleness,

do thou thyself our hearts possess

that may give thee all our days

the willing tribute of our praise.

4.  O Lord of all, with us abide

in this our joyful Eastertide;

from every weapon death can wield

thine own redeemed for ever shield.

5.  All praise, O risen Lord, we give

to thee, who, dead, again, dost live;

to God the Father equal praise,

and God the Holy Ghost, we raise.

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/first-day-of-easter-easter-sunday-year-b-principal-service/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/great-vigil-of-easter-year-a/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/first-day-of-easter-easter-sunday-years-a-b-and-c-evening-service/

A Mosaic from Rosary Basilica, Lourdes, France

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Hymnal 1916 (1918), The Episcopal Church

Words (1872) by Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1885), Bishop of Lincoln (1868-1885)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1.  Alleluia! Alleluia!

Hearts and voices heavenward raise:

Sing to God a hymn of gladness,

Sing to God a hymn of praise.

He, who on the cross a victim,

For the world’s salvation bled,

Jesus Christ, the King of glory,

Now is risen from the dead.

2.  Now the iron bars are broken,

Christ from death to life is born,

Glorious life, and life immortal,

On this holy Easter morn.

Christ has triumphed, and we conquer

By his mighty enterprise,

We with him to life eternal

By his resurrection rise.

3.  Christ is risen, Christ the first-fruits

Of the holy harvest-field,

Which will all its full abundance

At his second coming yield:

Then the golden ears of harvest

Will their heads before him wave,

Ripened by his glorious sunshine

From the furrows of the grave.

4.  Christ is risen, we are risen!

Shed upon us heavenly grace,

Rain and dew and gleams of glory

From the brightness of thy face;

That, with hearts in heaven dwelling,

We on earth may fruitful be,

And by angel hands be gathered,

And be ever, Lord, with thee.

5.  Alleluia! Alleluia!

Glory be to God on high;

Alleluia to the Saviour

Who has won the victory;

Alleluia to the Spirit,

Fount of love and sanctity;

Alleluia! Alleluia!

To the Triune Majesty.

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/first-day-of-easter-easter-sunday-year-b-principal-service/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/great-vigil-of-easter-year-a/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/first-day-of-easter-easter-sunday-year-a-principal-service/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/first-day-of-easter-easter-sunday-years-a-b-and-c-evening-service/

Women at the Empty Tomb, by Fra Angelico

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = The Hymnal 1940 (1943), The Episcopal Church

Original Latin Words by Saint Venantius Honorius Clementius Fortunatus, Bishop of Poitiers (Died 600/609)

http://neatnik2009.wordpress.com/2010/02/12/feast-of-venantius-honorius-clementius-fortunatus-december-14/

English words from The English Hymnal (1906), of The Church of England

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Refrain:

Hail thee, festival day!  blest day that art hallowed for ever;

Day whereon Christ arose, breaking the kingdom of death.

1.  Lo, the fair beauty of earth, from the death of the winter arising!

Every good gift of the year now with its Master returns:

Refrain

2.  He who was nailed to the cross is Lord and the ruler of all men;

All things created on earth sing to the glory of God:

Refrain

3.  Daily the loveliness grows, adorned with the glory of blossom;

Heaven her gates unbars, flinging her increase of light:

Refrain

4.  Rise from the grave now, O Lord, who art author of life and creation.

Treading the pathway of death, life thou bestowest on man:

Refrain

5.  God the All-Father, the Lord, who rulest the earth and the heavens,

Guard us from harm without, cleanse us from evil within:

Refrain

6.  Jesus the health of the world, enlighten our minds, thou Redeemer,

Son of the Father supreme, only-begotten of God:

Refrain

7.  Spirit of life and of power, now flow in us, fount of our being,

Light that dost lighten all, that in all dost abide:

Refrain

8.  Praise to the Giver of good!  Thou love who art author of concord,

Pour out thy balm on our souls, order our ways in thy peace:

Refrain

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/first-day-of-easter-easter-sunday-year-b-principal-service/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/great-vigil-of-easter-year-a/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/first-day-of-easter-easter-sunday-year-a-principal-service/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/first-day-of-easter-easter-sunday-years-a-b-and-c-evening-service/

Lamb of God

Image Source = Workman

Hymn Source = The Hymnal 1916 (1918), The Episcopal Church

Original words (800s or earlier) in Latin

English translation (1850, altered) by Robert Campbell (1814-1868), a member of the Scottish Episcopal Church (and later of the Roman Catholic Church) and a translator of many Latin hymns

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1.  At the Lamb’s high feast we sing

Praise to our victorious King,

Who hath washed us in the tide

Flowing from his pierced side;

Praise we him, whose love divine

Gives us sacred Blood for wine,

Gives his body for the feast,

Christ the victim, Christ the priest.

2.  Where the Paschal blood is poured,

Death’s dark angel sheathes his sword;

Israel’s hosts triumphant go

Through the wave that drowns the foe.

Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed,

Paschal victim, Paschal bread;

With sincerity and love

Eat we manna from above.

3.  Mighty victim from the sky,

Hell’s fierce powers beneath thee lie;

Thou hast conquered in the fight,

Thou hast brought us life and light:

Now no more can death appall,

Now no more the grave enthrall;

Thou hast opened paradise,

And in thee thy saints shall rise.

4.  Easter triumph, Easter joy,

Sin alone can this destroy;

From sin’s power to thou set free

Souls new-born, O Lord, in thee.

Hymns of glory, songs of praise,

Father, unto thee we raise:

Risen Lord, all praise to thee

With the Spirit ever be.

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/first-day-of-easter-easter-sunday-year-b-principal-service/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/great-vigil-of-easter-year-a/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/first-day-of-easter-easter-sunday-year-a-principal-service/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/first-day-of-easter-easter-sunday-years-a-b-and-c-evening-service/

The Three Marys at the Tomb (1396)

Image Source = Wikipedia

Prayer Source = Jonathan Montaldo, compiler, Lent and Easter Wisdom from Thomas Merton:  Daily Scripture and Prayers Together with Thomas Merton’s Own Words (Liguori, MO:  Liguori, 2007), page 113

Prayer by Jonathan Montaldo

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Christ is risen and with him all creation!

Light replaces dark,

life replaces death,

joy replaces sadness, suffering, and fear.

Alleluia!

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/06/03/devotion-for-the-seventh-day-of-easter-saturday-in-easter-week-lcms-daily-lectionary/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/seventh-day-of-easter-saturday-in-easter-week/

The Good Samaritan, by Rembrandt van Rijn (1630)

Image Source = Wikipedia

Prayer Source = Jonathan Montaldo, compiler, Lent and Easter Wisdom from Thomas Merton:  Daily Scripture and Prayers Together with Thomas Merton’s Own Words (Liguori, MO:  Liguori, 2007), page 111

Prayer by Jonathan Montaldo

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Set me free to love the Lord my God

with my whole heart,

my whole soul,

and my whole strength.

Set me free to love my neighbor

with my whole heart,

my whole soul,

and my whole strength.

May I yearn for your love

as intensely as you yearn for mine.

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2012/06/02/devotion-for-the-sixth-day-of-easter-friday-in-easter-week-lcms-daily-lectionary/

http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/29/sixth-day-of-easter-friday-in-easter-week/