Christ the Lord is Risen Today; Alleluia

"Christ the Lord is Risen Today; Alleluia" (LSB 463) was written by Wipo of Burgundy (ca. 995-1048).

Interspersed throughout with the Easter cry "alleluia," this text serves as an invitation to the Paschal Feast.

The first stanza begins with the angelic proclamation of the resurrection, calling worshipers to join in that feast by offering praise to the Passover Lamb, who has risen and is present at the Eucharist.

Stanza two tells of a series of Biblical images: the Passover Lamb of God bleeds for the sheep, John the Baptist's cry that Jesus is the Lamb of God, the Sinless One who dies in the sinners stead, etc.

Stanza three joins the worshiper to offer praise to the Victim of the Passover, the Lamb who was slaughtered and whose blood covers sinners, reconciling them to God.

The final stanza calls the singer back to the first Easter and calls Christians to offer "grateful homage" in thanksgiving for the forgiveness of sin, which Christ's resurrection from the dead has won for all who believe in Him as Lord and Savior!

Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

1 Christ the Lord is ris’n today; Alleluia!
Christians, hasten on your way; Alleluia!
Offer praise with love replete, Alleluia!
At the paschal victim’s feet. Alleluia!

2 For the sheep the Lamb has bled, Alleluia!
Sinless in the sinner’s stead. Alleluia!
Christ the Lord is ris’n on high; Alleluia!
Now He lives, no more to die. Alleluia!

3 Hail, the victim undefiled, Alleluia!
God and sinners reconciled, Alleluia!
When contending death and life, Alleluia!
Met in strange and awesome strife. Alleluia!

4 Christians, on this holy day, Alleluia!
All your grateful homage pay; Alleluia!
Christ the Lord is ris’n on high; Alleluia!
Now He lives, no more to die. Alleluia!

Text: Public domain