Top 10 Christian Songs for Easter

For many people, Easter is all about a magical bunny that visits in the night, leaving candy and colorful eggs in his wake. However, for Christians, Easter is so much more.

Easter Sunday is the day that we celebrate the resurrection of Christ after the crucifixion. It's the day that we celebrate Christ beating death and sin for us.

These top Christian Easter songs are all lyrically perfect for such a celebration.

of 10

"Arise My Love" by Newsong

Newsong at 'This Is Winter Jam' Nashville Red Carpet Premiere — Jason Davis/Getty Images

Lyrics from the song:

Arise, My love.
Arise, My love.
The grave no longer
has a hold on you
No more death's sting
No more suffering
Arise...Arise...my love.

Originally heard on 1995's "People Get Ready," this song is so good that it has made two return appearances: In 2000 on "Arise My Love...Best of Newsong" and again in 2005 on "The Very Best of Newsong."

Slow and easy, this song will definitely help you remember why the day is important

of 10

"Glorious Day" (Living He Loved Me) by Casting Crowns

Casting Crowns at 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards — Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

From the song:

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

Mark Hall of Casting Crowns grew up hearing the Resurrection hymn, "One Day," written in 1908 by Wilbur Chapman and Charles Marsh. He gave the 100-year-old hymn a few new twists, making it a new favorite for many a few new twists, making it a new favorite for many contemporary Christian music fans

of 10

"Jesus is Alive" by Ron Kenoly

Ron Kenoly - Jesus Is Alive — Integrity/Columbia

From the song:

Hallelujah Jesus is alive
Death has lost its victory
And the grave has been denied
Jesus lives forever
He's alive He's alive

Written by Ron Kenoly over two decades ago, "Jesus Is Alive" never fails to bring a smile and a feeling of celebration to your heart

of 10

"In Christ Alone" by Natalie Grant

Natalie Grant - Relentless. Curb Records

From the song:

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

This version of the popular song was written in 2002 by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty and made popular by the Newsboys in 2003. Natalie Grant first released it on "WOW Worship (Aqua)" in 2006, and it also appears as a bonus track on her 2008 release, "Relentless."

Her voice, over very ethereal sounding music, makes this version a favorite in any collection

of 10

"Celebrate" (He Lives) by Fred Hammond

Fred Hammond performs during the 27th Annual Stellar Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House (2012) — Rick Diamond/Getty Images

From the song:

They took my savior down from off that rugged cross
They laid him in a tomb it seemed that all hope was truly lost
But the third day came along and brought the rhythm of life
The stone was rolled away an angel proudly proclaimed

Originally found on "Something Bout Love," this song is so good that it simply had to be included on "The Essential Fred Hammond."

With an old-school soulful sound, Fred hits every note just perfectly

of 10

"I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin

Chris Tomlin at 4th Annual KLOVE Fan Awards At The Grand Ole Opry House - Press Room & Backstage — Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

From the song:

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

When Louie Giglio talked to Chris Tomlin about writing a song that would help people during times of loss, the line "the grave is overwhelmed" became the starting point for the impressive "I Will Rise." While this song is a wonderful choice for saying "goodbye for now" at funerals, it also serves as an important reminder that Jesus overcame the grave first

of 10

"The Old Rugged Cross" by Danny Oertli

Danny Oertli - Hymns And Prayers. Hapi Skratch Entertainment

The classic hymn has been released by artists from every corner of the music world - both the Christian and the mainstream. Each version brings a little something different to the table.

of 10

"They Could Not" by Sandi Patty

From the song:

So finally upon a rugged cross
They killed the man who would not suffer loss
And when at last they took what willingly He gave
He died, but could they keep Him in the grave

Featuring Sandi Patty at her inspirational gospel best, this song has been blessing listeners for over two decades

of 10

"Were You There" by Selah

From the song:

And were you there when they laid Him in the tomb
Were you there when they laid His precious body in the tomb
Sometimes it causes me to tremble, I cry and I tremble
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb

This incredibly powerful a capella song, from 2001's Press On, features singer Russ Taff. Selah released a second live version (without Taff) on "Timeless: The Selah Music Collection."

Each one offers Selah's beautiful inspirational sounds, and you simply can't go wrong with them when it's worship music you want

of 10

"Jesus Died My Soul To Save" by Pocket Full of Rocks

Pocket Full of Rocks - More Than Noise. Myrrh Records/Word

From the song:

What depth of love, what reach of grace
Oh, how my grateful heart now aches
To sing it louder, the refrain
Jesus died, my soul to save

This classic hymn gets a make-over for today on Pocket Full of Rocks' third album, "More Than Noise." Solid vocals and a heartfelt delivery will leave you feeling the impact long after the song is over

Format

mla apa chicago

Your Citation

Jones, Kim. "Top 10 Christian Songs for Easter." Learn Religions, Sep. 20, 2021, learnreligions.com/top-christian-easter-songs-709969. Jones, Kim. (2021, September 20). Top 10 Christian Songs for Easter. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/top-christian-easter-songs-709969 Jones, Kim. "Top 10 Christian Songs for Easter." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/top-christian-easter-songs-709969 (accessed May 29, 2023).