Because He Lives!

A hymn that has become synonymous with Easter Sunday in the past fifty years is “Because He Lives”. Two of the longest-lasting performing couples of Christian contemporary music, Gloria (b. 1942) and William J. (b. 1936) Gaither wrote the words. “Because He Lives” was awarded the recognition of Gospel Song of the Year for 1974 by the Gospel Music Association and the American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP). The hymn writers provide this insight on its conception:

“‘Because He Lives’ [1971] was written amid the social upheaval, threats of war, and national and personal trust betrayals. It was into this world at such a time that we were bringing our third little baby. Assassinations, drug traffic, and war monopolized the headlines. In the midst of this kind of uncertainty, the assurance of the Lordship of the risen Christ blew across our troubled minds like a cooling breeze in the parched desert. Holding our tiny son in our arms, we were able to write:

‘How sweet to hold our newborn baby,

And feel the pride and joy he gives;

But greater still the calm assurance,

this child can face uncertain days because He lives.’”

Bill Gaither began as an English, literature, and journalism teacher in 1959 in his hometown of Alexandria, Ind. His future bride, Gloria Sickal, taught French and English in the same high school.

They started to sing together and were married in 1962. By 1967, the couple left the teaching profession to become full-time recording and performing artists. Gloria Gaither has authored several books since 1971, including Make Warm Noises, Rainbows Live at Easter, Because He Lives, Decisions: A Christian Approach to Making Right Choices, and Let’s Make a Memory (co-authored with Shirley Dobson).

“Because He Lives” begins with the empty grave on Easter Sunday. Stanza two is about hope, even in uncertain days, because of the singular significance of the Resurrection event. Stanza three takes us to heaven, where we will “see the lights of glory and... know [Jesus] reigns.”

As we celebrate the resurrection this Easter season, amidst our own tumult, may we always remember that “life is worth the living, just because He lives!”