There is no shortage of Christian songs for Christmas. You can fill several radio channels with the myriad contributions to the Christmas music scene that contemporary Christian artists have made over the past few decades. Yet, the death and resurrection of Christ, the fulfillment of the birth of that baby, get comparatively few offerings dedicated to it. While the commercialization of the Christmas holiday explains this to a degree, it's still crucial that Christian music reflects on the most critical events in the history of humankind. So, I've compiled a list of some throwback songs that do just that. For this list, I'll focus on songs about the sacrifice Christ made for all of us on Calvary.
"Paradise" - The Kry
One-hit wonder The Kry is often overlooked in discussions about Christian music from the 1990s and 2000s. But they were a consistent source of quality soft rock during their run. "Paradise" is a song about the "good thief" crucified with Jesus and Christ's subsequent promise of heaven to him. The song rightly draws the parallels between the thief's confession of Christ and the benefit of our own. The song might sound too upbeat for such a weighty theme upon first listening, but the vocals' subtle melancholy tone balances this. Plus, despite the heavy content, the song ultimately points toward the hopeful outcome of salvation.
"Thief" - Third Day
Another song about the "good thief" takes a first-person account of what might have been going through his mind during this time. The "good thief" gets only a brief mention in Scripture. And while tradition and other sources have identified him as a man called Dismas, Scripture leaves him unnamed. Yet, the short record of his encounter with Christ has become one of the most memorable. This criminal, who admitted his sin and guilt, acknowledged the innocence of the other man he was being crucified with and offered him a dying prayer. Third Day's lead singer Mac Powell's vocals shine on the moody grit of this track. Most people know Third Day for worshipful or southern rock anthems on the radio, but the raw nature of this song may surprise them. Despite decades of content to their name, this song is still a notable entry from their early discography.
"Hammer No More" - Chronos
Here's a band you likely have yet to hear of. Also rare is a song that takes the point of view of the Roman centurion who drove the nails into Christ. While his declaration that "truly this was the Son of God" is an iconic moment in the Easter narrative, we know little about the man behind this quote. This song imagines his state of mind when he comes home that night. The turns of phrase in the lyrics feel surprisingly modern, yet they do a remarkable job of framing him as just an ordinary guy, somehow caught up in the most significant event of history. The song's melancholic tone dominates, providing an intriguing perspective to contemplate instead of the standard narratives of Christ's death.
"Driving Nails" - Bruce Carroll
With just a hint of country flare, this song uses a series of brief episodes in the life of Christ to illustrate a powerful parallel. From Mary's perspective, the story contrasts Joseph teaching Jesus carpentry with Jesus getting lost in Jerusalem and his eventual crucifixion. Framing these incidents around the theme of "driving nails" evokes powerful imagery that will stay with you long after the song ends.
"Mary (The Return From Calvary)" - Mark Farner
Originally released on a secular Christmas compilation of all things, A Classic Rock Christmas, I always felt it an artistically strange inclusion. Closing out an EP full of upbeat, or at least inspirational, Christmas songs with this? A somber ballad about the crucifixion? Told from Mary's perspective, it is about the sorrow of her returning home after watching her son die. Veteran artist Mark Farner is known to mainstream audiences as a member of the classic band Grand Funk Railroad. But after getting saved, he also recorded music geared toward the Christian market. Honing in on the very human aspects of the death of Christ, the lyric that has stayed with me the most is the last one in the chorus, "a part of her still hung there on the limbs of Calvary's tree."
"This Much" - Scarecrow & Tinmen
"This Much" from Scarecrow & Tinmen sings about the immense depths of God's love for us. The Father would send his only son to die for us, and the Son would willingly embrace that sacrifice to make a way to salvation for us. The lyrics "a wooden cross replaces loss by lifting up the king" is a powerful testament to the mystery that an instrument of death became the symbol of triumphing over it. The song's music video, showing a father giving up his life to save his son, can serve as a metaphor for this wondrous sacrifice while not capturing the depths of the beauty of what Christ did for us.
"King's Ransom" - Petra
While not as well known as the veteran rock band Petra's crucifixion-themed "It Is Finished," this ballad is no less powerful. Lead vocalist John Schlitt's legendary vocals carry the song in all its '80s arena rock glory. Still, he channels that energy and emotion into a moving account of the crucifixion and how it paid the ransom for our souls.
"Not Just Any Other Day" - John Elefante
Veteran artist John Elefante knows how to write a catchy song unlike any other. Surprisingly upbeat yet still reflective, this song was popular on Christian radio in the late '90s. The song muses about what it must've been like to witness the death of Christ. It reflects how those who didn't know Christ began that day like any other and had no idea that the world was about to undergo a permanent change. "It was business as usual, nothing different at all/As dusk would cast a shadow and the night began to fall/But no one stopped to notice that before this day would end/The sick and the afflicted needn't ever hurt again." The song has remained with me because of its simple and ordinary imagery. And it reminds us that God works wonders even when life appears ordinary.
"The Death of a Son" - Michael Card
A solemn song that reflects on the prophesying of the crucifixion in Psalms. Veteran artist Michael Card's deep voice works well for lullabies and hymns, but it's also well suited for a melancholy song like this. Few tracks can put me in a "Good Friday state of mind" like this one. It captures the essence of the grief of the death of Christ to all who knew him while never becoming melodramatic or over-the-top in any way.
"Shadow of Your Cross" - Joel Engle
"Shadow of Your Cross" from Joel Engle takes us to the perspective each one of us shares today. Two thousand years removed from the sacrifice that changed the world, it's easy to feel disconnected from the events detailed in the New Testament. And yet, each of us lives in the shadow of Christ's cross. It is the key that unlocked our salvation and how we are expected to live our lives as Christians. The song is a profound worship and meditation on the most significant gift.
J.J. Francesco is a longtime contributor to the NRT Staff. He's published the novel 'Because of Austin' and regularly seeks new ways to engage faith, life, and community. His new novel, 'When Miracles Can Dream,' is out NOW!
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