Did you know that Lent has its very own songs? I certainly didn’t until I began exploring the beauty of the liturgical calendar. Much like Advent, Lent has its own distinct themes; repentance, mercy, sacrifice, and the longing for redemption. Yet, while Advent’s music expresses deep yearning and hopeful expectation, Lenten hymns are often more somber, calling us to reflection, repentance, and the weight of Christ’s journey to the cross.
Why Lenten Music Matters
Lenten hymns set a tone that is vastly different from the joyous songs of Easter. They guide us into the wilderness with Christ, helping us to slow down and enter fully into this season of self-examination and renewal. The music of Lent reminds us of our frailty, our dependence on God’s mercy, and ultimately, the great love of Christ, who bore our sins on the cross.
One of the most well-known and beloved Lenten hymns is O Sacred Head, Now Wounded. Its powerful lyrics and mournful melody draw us into the suffering of Christ, making us pause and reflect on the depth of His sacrifice:
O sacred Head, now wounded,
With grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded
With thorns, Thine only crown;
How pale Thou art with anguish,
With sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish,
Which once was bright as morn!
This hymn takes us to the foot of the cross, inviting us to meditate on the sorrow and suffering of Christ. The weight of Lent is real, but through it, we glimpse the boundless love of our Savior.
Another powerful Lenten hymn is When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. This hymn shifts our focus from sorrow to deep gratitude, leading us to the heart of Lenten worship, laying down our own pride and embracing the humility of the cross:
When I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Lenten music doesn’t leave us in despair, it draws us deeper into the mystery of Christ’s love, preparing us for the triumph of Easter morning.
Resisting the Pull of Easter Music
Just as the world rushes past Advent straight into Christmas, it often skips over Lent in favor of the celebration of Easter. But there is something deeply transformative about allowing ourselves to dwell in the music of Lent, to sit in the tension, to fully engage with the reality of Christ’s suffering, and to prepare our hearts for the full joy of the Resurrection.
In our family, we make an intentional effort to embrace Lenten hymns throughout these forty days. We save "Jesus Christ is Risen Today" and "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" for Easter morning, allowing their triumphant joy to be the culmination of a season of preparation. And when we finally sing them, it feels different, richer, fuller, overflowing with meaning because we have journeyed through Lent first.
Lenten Playlists to Enrich Your Season
To help you embrace the beauty of Lent, I’ve created a Lenten playlist with traditional hymns. Whether you’re setting aside time for prayer, reading Scripture, or simply driving in the car, these songs will draw you deeper into the meaning of the season.
Traditional Lenten Playlist
These hymns have been sung for centuries, guiding the Church through this sacred season of repentance and renewal. They remind us of Christ’s suffering, our need for grace, and the mercy of God.
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