Your Music, Your Savior, and His Sacrifice
Easter isn’t quite the season of music that Christmas is, but here are some thoughts on how you can enhance your celebration with music.
On Thursday evening, with only hours left before He would be delivered to the authorities to be tried and crucified, Jesus Christ had many important things to do. He held the Passover meal and introduced the ordinance of the sacrament (see Matthew 26:26–28; Luke 22:19–20). He gave His disciples important teachings. He washed their feet. He prayed for them. (See John 13–17.)
But there was one last thing He did with His disciples that evening before going to the Garden of Gethsemane—something we may sometimes forget about.
He sang a hymn (see Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26).
We don’t know exactly what Jesus and His disciples sang, but it was customary for Jews to open and close the Passover with hymns of praise, particularly the Hallel, a set of psalms sung on such occasions (see Psalms 113–118). Those hymns (or ones like them) may have had special meaning for Him at that time. For instance, near the end of the Hallel are these words:
“The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. …
“The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. …
“God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. …
“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever” (Psalm 118:14, 22, 27, 29).
After the singing (whatever it may have been), Jesus Christ went to the garden. It seems that music was part of His life and that it meant something to Him.
How is music part of your life? What does it mean to you? And how can you enhance your use of music as we commemorate the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection?
Music and You
People often say that music moves them—that it makes them feel something. You’ve probably experienced it yourself. For instance, have you ever searched for a song that you hoped might help change your mood? Or one that would enhance the mood you’re already in?
You probably have favorite music. Your favorites may even change from time to time, depending on what you’re into at the moment. What is it that you like about your favorite music? It probably has to do with how good it sounds to you as well as how it makes you feel and what it makes you think when you’re listening to it.
So, think about what your favorite music makes you feel and think. Then think what happens when you actively seek out the best music for when you want to feel joy, peace, love, and hope.
Music and Easter
So, what does this have to do with Easter? Well, here are just three ideas for using music to enhance your celebration of Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice and Resurrection.
1. Look up Sacrament Hymns
President D. Todd Christofferson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, has said that “we … celebrate [Jesus Christ’s] Resurrection at Easter but also every week as we partake of the sacramental emblems of His Atonement.” He has also said that our worship includes “singing hymns (not just listening to but singing the hymns).”
In a way, the sacrament hymns we sing each week are Easter hymns. They typically sound quite reverent. They help us to remember the Savior and His sacrifice and to feel His love.
Around Easter, you might look up some of the sacrament hymns. You could read the lyrics or go over the songs in your head. You could sing them out loud if you feel like it. You could look up recordings of them on the Gospel Library.
These hymns will help you feel the holiness, the awe, and the gratitude we should have at Easter.
2. Sing Easter Hymns Out Loud
Then there’s the less somber and more celebratory side of Easter.
There are at least a couple of joyful-sounding hymns about Easter that you can sing loudly and joyfully in praise of God. For instance, your sacrament meetings around Easter are likely to include either “He Is Risen!” (Hymns, no. 199) or “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” (Hymns, no. 200).
3. Adjust Your Music Listening in the Lead-Up to Easter
Easter may not be quite the season of music that Christmas is, but you can still use music to change the feeling of your Easter season.
You could add more Christ-centered music to your regular listening. The Church has such music in the Gospel Library or on various streaming services—both hymns and other kinds of music. There are also many wonderful Christ-centered pieces in the classical music tradition from centuries past. Many composers have written inspiring music about the Savior—Bach, Handel, Rimsky-Korsakov, Mahler, and many more. Look it up. Give it a try. It might inspire you.
Music and the Savior
Knowing that the Savior sang a hymn before going to the Garden of Gethsemane, and knowing how music moves you, you may wonder what He felt as He sang. One thing is certain, though: When you sing or listen to music about the Savior and His atoning sacrifice and Resurrection, you can feel deep joy, love, peace, and gratitude.