Two Favorite Easter Songs

The word of the week is CROSS

: a long piece of wood with a shorter piece across it near the top that people were once fastened to and left to die on as a form of punishment

When I was a little girl, my favorite hymn was “The Old Rugged Cross.” I knew all the words to the first verse and the chorus, and I just loved how beautiful it was (and, it still is, of course). Now that I’m older, the third and fourth verses of the hymn speak to me the most. Here are the words to the hymn:

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS

Written by:  George Bennard, 1913

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

Refrain

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

Refrain

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

Refrain

In the third verse, it says, “For ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died to pardon and sanctify me.” It was Jesus death on that cross that allowed me to be cleansed of my sins. He took the punishment that was meant for you and me.

And, then, in the last verse:  "Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away, Where His glory forever I’ll share." Because of my faith in Christ, and because I am trusting Him for the forgiveness of my sins, I will someday meet Him face to face in our home in Heaven.

Listen to this version of The Old Rugged Cross sung by Dallas Holm and his wife, Linda:

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS

With today being Easter (Resurrection Sunday), we focus not only on the death of Jesus, but mostly on His resurrection. I am thankful that, even though Jesus died on that old rugged cross, the great news is that He didn’t stay dead. God rolled that huge stone away from Jesus’ tomb, and brought Him back to life!

Another one of Dallas Holm’s songs that I grew up with is one of my all time favorites:

RISE AGAIN

Someday, He will be coming back again to take His people home. I am ready for that day to come. I hope you are, too. If you aren't sure if you are "ready," or you are needing more information about this, feel free to leave a comment, or send me an e-mail. My husband and I would be happy to answer your questions.