“This Joyful Eastertide” (ELW 391)
Devotion
This joyful Eastertide,
away with sin and sorrow!
My love, the Crucified,
has sprung to life this morrow.
Refrain
Had Christ, who once was slain,
not burst his three-day prison,
our faith had been in vain.
But now has Christ arisen,
arisen, arisen, arisen.
My flesh in hope shall rest
and for a season slumber
till trump from east to west
shall wake the dead in number. Refrain
Death's flood has lost its chill
since Jesus crossed the river.
Lover of souls, from ill
my passing soul deliver. Refrain
Eastertide. It is an underused word that vividly underscores the energy of the Easter season. George R. Woodward first published this hymn in his Carols for Easter and Ascension in 1894. I'm not sure if "Eastertide" was in vogue in church-talk during Woodward’s days, but I’m guessing it is rarely heard in contemporary congregational culture. Perhaps Eastertide needs a resurrection of its own? And perhaps it ought to be used to describe the whole of our Christian life, no matter the liturgical season.
The final line of the hymn's refrain provides a tide-like feel as the words wash over the assembly. "But now has Christ arisen, arisen, arisen, arisen." The hymn text paired with the 17th century Dutch tune creates an ebb and flow carrying with it the joyous Easter message of life springing from the crucified. As each "arisen" is sung, the momentum of the promise builds like ocean waves lapping upon the hearts of the gathered. It is (always!) Eastertide, and the baptismal waters are churning up all around us. Time to be swept away again.
Prayer
Water of life, submerse us always in your Easter promise. Then wash us up on the shores of this world prepared to serve others in Jesus' name. Amen.