Songs, Hymns & Music for Advent 3B (17 December 2023)

More Advent songs appropriate for these readings are listed here.  

 
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11  
The spirit of the Lord is on me to bring good news, so rejoice!

• Online Resource Nothing is wasted (David Bjorlin) A simple gospel-style chorus, which fits well with the idea that even difficult times are not a waste. I love this. Sheet music sample and purchasing options. Sound sample.  
  
• Tune In / Online Resource The Spirit of the Lord (Elaine Loukes) A beautiful and simple chant. Highly recommended. Free songbook, sound samples, and lyrics available here.
• TiS 690 / CH259 / A&M557 / StS115 / SP237 / Srce54 / StF693 / MP806 Beauty for brokenness hope for despair (Graham Kendrick) Themes of healing from personal and universal suffering and an emotive chorus. “Refuge from cruel wars, havens from fear, cities for sanctuary, freedoms to share, peace to the killing-fields, scorched earth to green; Christ for the bitterness, his cross for the pain”. It's a bit schmaltzy. Lyrics, sound samples, and sheet music options.
  
• AoV1-021 / ATOK 402 / StS114 / G(II)488 / GC682 / GC(II)669 / G(3)761 / Lau858 / MP830 God Has Chosen Me (Bernadette Farrell) Energetic, and great words of justice. We used to sing this a lot, but not so much lately. Can be rocky or smooth, however you like it. Good for kids. Sound sample and lyrics.
•  WCC website Hear the message we now are proclaiming / El mensaje que hoy proclamamos (Eleazar Torreglosa) This jubilant Colombian song of liberty and new life for the poor and suffering would fit well with this reading. Good for kids. Free sheet music 
• AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love (Trisha Watts) This is so easy, and so cool. If you have some groovy musicians, this can even be a very funky rock song. Very easy, and great for kids and non-readers. Sound sample (also available for download).
  
• ACS904 / TiS 688 Come to be our hope O Jesus / Tú Jesús, nuestra esperanza (Jaci Marachin) This is a really fun Latin American song from the World Council of Churches Assembly in Canberra. It's not easy the first time, but once you've heard it, it's very catchy. The words are really excellent, despite a slightly clunky translation. It would be worth teaching to your congregation! We sang this a couple of times during Advent. Sound sample with a great guitar line. Here's another quite different version. Good for kids.
• TiS 657 / CH263 / VU700 / A&M559 / AA50 / CP(E) 447 / Cha656 / SP242 God of freedom God of justice (Shirley Murray) Powerful lyrics. Can be sung to either TREDEGAR (new, but not too hard) or PICARDY (very familiar) or RHUDDLAN. Lyrics and sheet music sample. New words to old tunes. There is also a nice tune from Douglas Simper in his book if you'd like something quite new, but still hymn-like.
• ATOK 389 Light of the nations (Robin Mann) A simple song. Lyrics. 
• VU699 / GtG772 / PH332 Live into hope of captives freed (Jane Parker Huber) Excellent words to the familiar tune TRURO. Lyrics.New words to old tunes.
• TiS 210 / AHB 141 / NCH042 / CH352 / UMH57 / VU326 / LBW42 / ELW295 / A&M742 / HPP74 / GtG610 / PH466 / CP306 / CP(E) 534 / W&R96 / Cha005 / Srce506 / 82Hml-493 / StF364 / MP496 O for a thousand tongues to sing (Charles Wesley) A classic. I particularly love NATIVITY for these words, and it's such a fun tune. Be careful with the words "ye dumb". Voices United has "Hear him you deaf, you voiceless ones, your tongues again employ" which is more respectful. Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• W&R571 Christ You Call Us All to Service (Joy Patterson) Excellent words of our call to work for justice, sung to the familiar tune IN BABILONE. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
• UMH729 / VU682 / LBW161 / WoV762 / ELW627 / GtG373 / PH450 / CP573 / W&R539 / Cha711 / URW140 / 82Hml-597 / Lau900 O day of peace that dimly shines (Carl P Daw) A song of hoped-for peace. The tune in Chalice hymnal is really nice (CANDLER) or O WALY WALY which is used in URW. Other sources use JERUSALEM, which is a bit too militaristic for me. Lyrics and JERUSALEM sheet music New words to old tunes.
• TiS 473 / NCH314 / W&R615 / Cha655 / StF681 / Lau895 Community of Christ (Shirley Murray) Beautiful words to a traditional Hebrew synagogue melody (LEONI). Easy to sing. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
• GC(II)662 / G(3)773 To bring glad tidings to the lowly / You Have Anointed Me (Mike Balhoff, Gary Daigle, Darryl Ducote) This is nice. I like how the congregation responds with “You have anointed me”. I think it could be a very powerful experience to sing that as a congregation. Sheet music and tacky sound sample
• NCH062 Come share the spirit (Vicki Vogel Schmidt) Good words of the spirit coming to move through us and bring wholeness. Groovy tune, which is vaguely familiar. I think this could be a big hit for our congregation.
• StS038 / G(II)486 / GC679 / GC(II)672 / G(3)768 When Jesus Worked here on earth (Howard Olson) Nice simple song, to a Celtic-style tune about bringing good news and setting captives free. Sheet music sample. Sound sample.  
• Online Resource In ruins where we sit and weep (David Bjorlin / Sally Ann Morris) Beautiful words about our brokenness, and God's grace, sung to a solemn and beautiful tune. Probably better for a soloist than a congregation. Sheet music and lyrics sample, and purchasing options. Sound sample. 
• Online Resource After the flood (David Bjorlin / Mark Miller) Gosh. A beautiful, meditative and healing song, specifically about recovery from a flood. I would use a soloist for the verses, and invite the congregation to join on the chorus, which is a Kyrie (you might need to play it a little more quickly perhaps). Sheet music and sound sample and purchasing options.  
  

Psalm 126
Those who sow in tears shall reap with joy

• TiS 647 / AoV2-012 / ATN 25 Comfort, comfort all my people (Robin Mann) Easy to sing, beautiful lyrics. Chorus is “Comfort, comfort all my people, with the comfort of my word. Speak ye tender to my people, all your sins are taken away”. Note that most sources only list 2 verses, but there are two additional (more challenging) verses you may wish to consider using; they were written for the Christmas Bowl in 1988. Thanks to Simon for alerting me to them. Lyrics (including additional verses), mp3 sample.
• CH683 / VU420 / A&M491 / GC(II)469 / G(3)546 / GtG295 / CP598 / W&R553 / SP156 / URW132 / Lau426 / StF402 Go to the world Go into all the earth (Sylvia Dunstan) Great words of sending out. Can be sung to a couple of different tunes. SINE NOMINE is the easiest and best known. Sound sample. Sheet music sample. New words to old tunes
• ATE 253 He turned my mourning into dancing This is not at all inclusive, but if you change the lyrics to make it addressed to God “You turned my morning into dancing”, it’s much much better. Youtube (by Sikal Kelep from PNG).
  
• Shout for Joy (Psalm Project) When we share God's dream (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) Nice words, especially if you read Desmond Tutu's book to the kids this week. Sound sample & purchasing options. Good for kids. 
• SFFS 2182 / CP583 / GtG074 / PfAS126E When God Restored Our Common Life (Ruth Duck)  Good words, based on Ps 126 to a familiar fairly upbeat shape note tune (RESIGNATION). Lyrics (scroll down) New words to old tunes.
• Iona (Common Ground) / CH257 Singing we gladly worship the Lord together (Traditional Guatemalan) This song has a simple and energetic chorus with a great rhythm, and sings of us "sowing seeds of peace and love" in a troubled world. Lyrics. Good for kids.
• TiS 177 / VU614 / Cha212 In suffering love the thread of life (Rob Johns) A more sombre choice, but comforting. Can be sung to a range of familiar tunes like LAND OF REST. Sheet music sample (in a large PDF - on page 3). New words to old tunes.
• PfAS126B Those who sow in tears and sorrow (Ladies of the Grail) A simple Psalm refrain. Nice chords.
• Shout for Joy (Psalm Project) Rivers in the desert (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A nice way to present this Psalm to the congregation; this would work well during the offering.  Youtube.
• CH541 Lord I pray if today (Jean Keegstra-DeBoer) Very simple words, quite child-like, but memorable. Lyrics.
• PfAS126A / URW325 When God first brought us back from exile (Carl P Daw) Good words based on the Psalm, and it's sung to WAYFARING STRANGER, which is a very cool tune. Lyrics New words to old tunes.
• Online resource Those who sow in tears (Bruce Harding) A simple, joyful round. Sound sample and free sheet music. Good for kids.
• NCH461 Let us hope when hope seems hopeless (David Beebe) A lilting tune and good words of hope in the face of difficulty. A song of a maturing faith. Sound sample (long introduction).
• VU023 / CP104 Joy shall come even to the wilderness (Israeli traditional) A traditional Israeli song. Excellent words and the tune is cool. Lyrics.
• G(II)110 / GC124 / GC(II)69 / URW326 God Has Done Great Things for Us (Marty Haugen) Lovely words “God has done great things for us. Filled us with laughter and music”. I really like this. Both the cantor part and the refrain are inclusive. Would work well also with the Psalm being read between the refrains. Sheet music and sound sample
• VU850 We praise the one who gave the growth, with voices full and strong (Southern Harmony) A joyful Psalm refrain. It would be good for a Harvest Thanksgiving too. 
• Online Resource Hidden Hallelujah (Christopher Grundy) This is not a congregational song. It is a powerful song about the hope of joy to come for those who are facing extreme difficulty (sex trafficking, racial bias in the criminal justice system, transgender acceptance). Lyrics, video and link to purchasing options. 

Alternative to the Psalm: Luke 1:46b-55
The Magnificat! Yay! The Magnificat!

• MV120 / StS124 / R245 / ELW723 / HPP88 / GtG100 / G(II)376 / GC556 / GC(II)527 / G(3)622 / PfAS075B / URW018 My soul cries out with a joyful shout (Canticle of the Turning) (Rory Cooney) This is my favourite Magnificat! No, really!! "Could the world be about to turn?" It's sung to a folk tune (STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN). Lyrics & Sheet music samples. New words to old tunes.
• CH291 When out of poverty is born (Kathy Galloway) An excellent set of words for Advent that reflects on God's good news for the poor and the strength of Mary's faith. Set to the familiar tune KINGSFOLD. Lyrics (downloads PDF) New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource Advent begins in the darkness of night (David Bjorlin / Benjamin Brody) A haunting tune and beautiful words of Advent beginning in a place of darkness. Sheet music for purchase and download. Sound sample.
• MV134 There was a child in Galilee / Dreaming Mary (Janet Gadeski) This is a thoughtful, imaginative song of Mary, which would be best sung by a soloist, with the words made available for the congregation to ponder. Lyrics (scroll down past the videos, but make sure you watch the "Parody of a Modern Worship Service" video on the way down)
• A&M185 / GC(II)362 / G(3)434 / SP069 Dark is the night / Sing Alleluia (Francis Patrick O'Brien) Excellent and simple Christmas song which reflects the magnificat and the happiness of Jesus’ parents. I especially like the last verse “Hope for the poor, release for the captive, Love for the outcast, light for weary eyes; Word that brings life, embracing humanity, Jesus, companion be born into our lives”. It would be particularly good for a Christmas eve service. The chorus would also work very nicely on its own. Lead sheet and lyrics. Sound sample.
• W&R172 For Ages Women Hoped and Prayed (Jane Parker Huber) This is one of those "Coming, but already here songs" of Advent, and could be sung at other times of year, too. Thought-provoking words about what it may have been like for Mary to bear Christ. Lyrics. Set to VOX DILECTI, but could be sung to other tunes. It fits New Britain (the tune for Amazing Grace) quite nicely. New words to old tunes. 
• GA250 / StF060 My soul rejoices / Canticle of Mary (Owen Alstott) A simple, formal hymnlike Magnificat. Lyrics and pretty slow sound sample. 
• Online Resource Mary did you know? (Jennifer Henry) This not the original, which was a bit odd (reader, Mary did know). It is a new set of lyrics to the original tune by Buddy Greene. They pick up on how Mary could not have known that her song would have lasted so long. It's quite wonderful, but would be best sung by a soloist rather than a congregation. Sound sample and lyrics. I especially love this version. 
  
• Online Resource / TiS 172 / NCH119 / UMH198 / VU899 / GtG099 / PfAS1042 / Cha130 My soul gives glory to my God (John Mueller) Simple and beautiful words to a simple and beautiful tune. Inclusive lyrics. Lyrics (plus lyrics to lots of other magnificats). Scroll down and look for "ecumenical". I recommend the newer translation by Mary Louise Bringle, which can be seen, heard, and purchased here. 
• Online Resource / GWA094 My soul sings in gratitude (Joy Cowley) No tune! This is a poem, which would be lovely to have read (preferably by a young woman) to your congregation. Poem.
  
• Online resource Magnificat (Bruce Harding) A fun magnificat, using the Latin phrase “Magnificat amina mea deum”. I think our musicians would like this one! Sound sample. Free sheet music.
  
• HiOS101 My heart is leaping (Marion Kitchingman) Good words, and a joyful tune.  
• Taizé / Iona (T1AU) / StS012 / GA545 / GC(II)522 / G(3)630 / PfAS1018 Magnificat “Magnificat amina mea dominum” (Jacques Berthier) To be honest, I think it’s kind of funny to sing “Magnificat” as a lyric, but maybe that's just me. There are also alternative English lyrics (Sing out my soul), which are good if your congregation thinks singing in Latin is quirky. A catchy and happy Taize chant. Sheet music, sound samples, and English translation.
• CH141 / A&M548 / SP250 / URW077 / StF114 Oh the life of the world is a joy and a treasure (Kathy Galloway) This is not a Magnificat, but holds some similar concepts! Good inclusive words about God's presence in "the life of the world" (nature, seasons, childbirth, justice). The tune is a simple Celtic-style melody. Lyrics.  
• VU323 Maker of the sun and moon and mother of the earth (Peter Sharrocks) Wonderful inclusive words, and a beautiful tune, that for me sounds a lot like "Lord Jesus Christ, Lover of All" so melodically ties Advent in with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. You may like to sing it this Sunday and leave the last verse until Christmas day. Highly recommended. Lyrics
• Online Resource Christmas come close (Shirley Murray) Excellent words, sung to a simple hymnlike tune with some really beautiful images about difficult things and the hope that Christmas brings. A sad song, but with plenty of hope. Lyrics and sheet music.
• ATAR639 / GC(II)782 / Lau338 My soul proclaims your greatness O God (from Holden Evening Prayer) (Marty Haugen) Nice, simple to sing. Sheet music sample (you'll need to scroll through). Lyrics (where it says "Magnificat". 
• Online Resource The lowly will be lifted up (Carolyn Winfrey-Gillette) The magnificat imagery with a call to continue the work of Christ with the openness of Mary. Sung to a familiar tune. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource God make us agents of joyful rebellion (David Bjorlin / Benjamin Brody) Joy as a tool of rebellion, and our role as modern-day prophets. Set to a new tune, which is lovely to sing. Sheet music sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.     
• Online Resource A word went out to Mary (Hannah Brown) Beautiful new poetry, with floral imagery, set to the tune ES IST EIN ROS' ENTSPRUNGEN. Sheet music sample and lyrics and purchasing options. New words to old tunes. 
• ACS907 Filled with hope and gratitude (Paul Damico-Carper) Good new words, sung to a simple tune (that sounds a bit like Loch Lomond). I like that the first and last verse specifically reference breastfeeding. Lyrics. Sound sample (with a bit of dancing). 
• Online Resource / GW095 Holy holy holy O Wisdom from on high / Blessed and Holy (Bernadette Farrell) This is a setting of some of the O Antiphons which are sung with the Magnificat in the last week prior to Christmas in some traditions. They speak of our hope in Jesus to transform the world. This setting is easy to sing and has great words. Sound and sheet music samples and purchasing options.  
  

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 
An entire sermon in one reading.

• TiS 420 Holy Spirit go before us (Elizabeth Smith) Excellent words. Can also sing to AUSTRIA (TiS 93). Sound sample of tune (a bit too much tremolo, but you'll get the idea); lyrics are included in the comments to the video.
  
• TiS 106 / AHB 14 / AoV1-189 / NCH419 / CH182 / UMH102 / VU236 / LBW534 / ELW840 / GA425 / A&M739 / HPP283 / GtG643 / PH555 / GC565 / GC(II)545 / G(3)636 / CP399/ CP(E) 530 / W&R14 / Cha715 / 82Hml-396 / StF081 / Lau945 / MP486 Now thank we all our God / Nun Danket Alle Gott (Martin Rinkhart) A classic song of thanks. The language is not entirely inclusive in all versions. Chalice has great inclusive words. It's in the public domain, so changing the older English translation is quite acceptable. Lyrics and sheet music. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• Online Resource Come watch for the green that shows after a fire (Hannah Brown) Beautiful words about renewal, set to the familiar tune COLUMCILLE. Sheet music sample and lyrics and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.  
  
• TiS 638 / NCH175 / CH717 / A&M518 / GtG793 / PH380 / UMH265 / LBW380 / ELW675 / PH380 / CP291 / CP(E) 346 / W&R638 / Cha503 / Lau430 / StF653 O Christ the healer we have come (Fred Pratt Green) Beautiful words and simple to sing. Good for intercessions. I like the tune INVERCARRY best, but it can also be sung to TALLIS' CANON if your congregation needs a more familiar tune. Lyrics and sound sample (of an alternative tune). New words to old tunes.
• TiS 642 / AHB 570 / VU410 / GA536 / G(II)547 / GC757 / GC(II)749 / G(3)856 / CP(E) 205 / URW185 / Lau673 This day God gives me strength of high heaven (James Quinn) There are a couple of possible tunes to this. I like BUNESSAN (morning has broken) best. The words are based on St. Patrick's Breastplate. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource When my work takes me places I don't want to go / St Patrick's Breastplate (Porters Gate) Not a congregational song, but a great song to be aware of and to share. Youtube.
• TiS 590 / AHB 165 / AoVK-117 / NCH506 / UMH526 / VU663 / LBW439 / ELW742 / HPP408 / GtG465 / PH403 / CP532 / W&R473 / Cha585 / Srce 776 / StF531 / MP746 What a Friend we have in Jesus (Joseph Scriven) There is a bit of masculine language, but the song has so many other good things about it. I like both tunes. AOVK has different lyrics, written specifically for kids, which I think are worth singing. Older version of lyrics and tune samples. Good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• TiS 421 Where the Spirit is there's freedom (Per Harling) An excellent joyous upbeat song from the World Council of Churches. Lyrics. 
• Online Resource God in our praying (Adam Tice) Simple words seeking discernment and openness to listen. This would be a great song to sing before a business meeting. Set to the familiar tune ST ELIZABETH. Sample sheet music, lyrics and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.

John 1:6-8, 19-28
John the Baptist points the way... For some reason we have switched from Mark to John's Gospel. 

• Online Resource / AoVK-50 / ATW 430 Come let us praise our God / A voice is heard (Trisha Watts) Excellent and energetic. Sound sample, sheet music samples, purchasing options. Good for kids.
  
• TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / G(3)577 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Haugen) A very joyful song for cantor and congregation, or small group and congregation; this is a big favourite in our church. Sheet music, lyrics and sound sample.
• AoV2-003 / ATOK 313 / CH543 / StJ / GA404 / A&M042 / ELW715 / GtG314 / GC(II)512 / G(3)590 / SP13 / URW114 / Lau883 / StF706 Longing for light we wait in darkness / Christ, be our light (Bernadette Farrell) One of my favourites, especially if someone can sing or play the descant line in the later verses. Sound sample and lyrics. Good for kids.  
• Worldmaking.net Christ is Coming Ever Coming (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A modern hymn of salvation history. Lyrics and sound sample.
• Tune In / Online Resource Dare to Dream (Elaine Loukes) A great song about having a vision for the future, being lead by the light of Bethlehem’s star. "Dare to dream of new beginnings, Paths untried, by faith supplied".  Sound sample, lyrics, song book 
• TiS 270 / AHB 199 / NCH115 / CH334 / VU20 / LBW548 / ELW842 / A&M046 / GtG096 / PH010 / G(II)260 / GC321 / 322 / GC(II)344 / G(3)418 / CP103 / CP(E) 34 / W&R156 / 82Hml-076 / Lau094 / StF182 / MP538 On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry (Charles Coffin) If you would like inclusive lyrics, have a look at the New Century Hymnal’s version. If you’d like a groovy tune, check out AHB 199(ii) / GC322 – ST JOHN BAPTIST by Gary Lewis Miles and Betty Pulkingham. This is a fun tune, but maybe a bit dated now? You can even combine the words of NCH115 with AHB199(ii) for the best of both worlds. But WINCHESTER NEW is also very good, and easy to sing if you don’t have a congregation full of people who grew up in the 60s and 70s. Lyrics and sheet music).Oldy-but-a-goody.
• TiS 263 / CH607 The bright wind is blowing the bright wind of heaven (Cecily Taylor) Excellent words of the changes brought about by a "bright wind" that blows away the chaff of our hating, and fans the flames of love.  Joyful tune.  Lyrics.
• StS008 / SFFS 2089 / GtG163 / PH409 Wild and Lone the Prophet's Voice (Carl P Daw) Excellent, challenging words. I prefer this sung to ABERYSTWYTH which is well known and easily accessible. New words to old tunes.Lyrics and sheet music samples
• Seeds of Faith Prepare the Way For Love (Bruxvoort-Colligan) A good song for kids. I think it would be fun to make up additional verses for this one so it could carry through the whole of Advent. Sound sample and lyrics. BUC people, I have this book. Good for kids.

What ideas do you have? I'd love to hear them! Please share in a comment below.