Victor-Giant

~ Miriam Novotny

Hello, all! Sorry about my recent absence. Life has been busy, but it seems like the perfect time for a fresh start. Everywhere, the world is being made new. The flowers are opening, the robins are back, and the trees are uncurling their tiny leaves. So here I am! I’d like to wish you all a joyful Eastertide! May God bless you as we celebrate His Son’s Resurrection.

Speaking of which, lately I’ve been enjoying Easter at Ephesus, a beautiful album by the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles. One of my favorite songs from it is “Christ the Lord Hath Risen,”1 which was composed by an anonymous author in the 12th century. I’d like to share the lyrics with you:

Christ the Lord hath risen
From his three-day prison;
Meet it is to make merrie
Jesus will our solace be.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Christ to knap asunder
Chains that kept us under
Satan’s yoke, was slain of yore.
Now he lives to die no more.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Christ our Victor-giant,
Quells the foe defiant:
Let the ransomed people sing
Glory to the Easter King!

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

“Christ our Victor-giant” — what powerful imagery! I find myself envisioning Christ as a triumphant warrior, towering over Death, crushing it underfoot. He is our Victor-giant. He is our very own, because we are His. Rather than crushing us, He cradles us in the palms of His mighty hands. Truly, we have reason to rejoice!

Is there something that has made your Easter season special? A story? A song? A flower in the garden? Feel free to share in the comments. 🙂

Notes:

  1. Beautiful as the words are, it’s even better when it’s sung. Listen to the Benedictins sing it here.

Image credit: The Resurrection by Carl Heinrich Bloch, 1881.

9 thoughts on “Victor-Giant”

  1. Thank you for reminding us that we do have reason to rejoice! Especially now, we all need days that are set aside for being happy, and this post really reminds us all why! Reading this, I can feel your joy that He Is Risen. Let us all rejoice together!

    Over Easter break I enjoyed lots of family time. It was sad that we couldn’t have the whole family together, but there were many happy moments and laughter! Family game nights were my favorite. I’m blessed to have a myth-maker and goof ball for a sister!

    Can’t wait to read your next post!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Well, I wanted something that said “fairy tale” — something simple, but less obvious than “The Glass Slipper.” The tales with glass hills were some of my favorites. I enjoyed imagining the hero climbing the slippery surface, and I think the C. S. Lewis quote, “Higher Up and Further In!” was somewhere in my mind. There were many other names I could have chosen, but in the end “The Glass Hill” was the one that stuck.

      Sorry about my delayed response, and thank you so much for your question! 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  5. I just recently discovered the artist Carl Heinrich Bloch as well! His paintings of the life of Christ are some of the most beautiful I have seen. He combines light and dark in a less striking and dramatic way than Caravaggio, but in a manner that beckons me to dwell on the painting for a moment. It is impossible to rush through his works.

    On the secular side of things, you should check out his painting “In a Roman Osteria.” It will give you a laugh. (Hint: Don’t forget to look at the cat.)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment