Growing up in a religiously-diverse country like India, the Christian community in the city of my birth, Kolkata, always made a pretty big deal about high holy days like Easter. Of course, as a child, the highlights were always the colorful (and delicious) marzipan and chocolate eggs and the pastel colored baskets filled with more candy and eggs.
But a stronger, more indelible memory is of the congregation lifting joyful voices to proclaim “Up from the Grave He Arose!” a beautiful hymn from 1874, composed by Robert Lowry. I have a clear memory of truly understanding, and meaning the lyrics as we sang out on Easter morning:
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever,
With His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
This year marks a decade since my beloved mom went Home to be with her Savior. While the pain of grief still catches me by surprise, that pain is quickly followed by the blessed assurance of her life, and mine - both rooted in the resurrection of Jesus!
The memory of this hymn fills me with wonder and gratitude. Jesus is our Champion - He triumphed over sin and death to give us eternal life!
Hallelujah, Christ is risen indeed!
You can listen to the hymn by clicking HERE.
