I have also prepared a list of General Advent Songs that you may find helpful for the season.
Malachi 3:1-4
One will come to prepare a way; One who purifies will come.
- MV011 / StS007 / GtG091 / GC(II)338 / G(3)405 Come, come Emmanuel / Advent gathering song (James Chepponis)
The simple chant is quite lovely, and the cantor soars beautifully. It
could be quite formal if you like. Can work as a chant without the
cantor part; you could choose particular cantor verses for each week, or
even make up your own, which is what we've done at Brunswick. At other
times of year it can be used with the Cantor for confession. Slow sound sample. Sheet music sample.
- Online Resource / ACS901 / GWA098 Now the heavens start to whisper
(Mary Louise Bringle) Excellent words of the whole of creation waiting
for the rod of Jesse to spring forth, set to the Welsh tune SUO GÂN. Sound sample, sheet music sample and choral version for purchase. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / Tune In / NCYC'07: Forgive us now (Dave Brown) This is one of the best songs seeking forgiveness that I know. "As we forgive, may we be healed”. An excellent ballad
about healing and forgiveness for a whole community. Free downloadable songbook and sound samples.
- TiS 712 / AoV2-021 / ATE 269 / The tide has turned songbook Create in me / us a clean heart O God (Digby Hannah) Good. A big favourite in our congregation. We're sang this every week of Lent this year. Lyrics and (slightly odd) sound sample.
- TiS 407 / AHB 320 /
NCH292 / CH596 / UMH420 / VU382 / StJ / LBW488 / A&M236 / GA432 / HPP227 /
GtG286 / PH316 / GC800 / GC(II)800 / CP649 / CP(E) 174 / W&R461 / Cha254 /
Srce81 / URW167 / 82Hml-508 / Lau302 Breathe on me Breath of God
(Edwin Hatch) An older style hymn. Good words seeking the spirits gifts of new life, purity and unity with Christ. If you sing this version, it can be sung to a lovely simple, and quite intuitive Celtic tune (ST COLUMBA). If you sing this version, it can also be sung to HAMPTON, TRENTHAM, or DURHAM. That was a little bit complicated, but hopefully you can work it out. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- AoV1-143 Light Of Christ, light flaming bright
(Rufino Zaragoza) Simple chant. "Light of Christ, light flaming bright, burn
in my heart holy fire"; you could easily make this plural if you wish. Lyrics and instrumental sound sample. Good for kids.
- Taizé / UMH207 / VU10 / StS014 / GtG095 / GC336 / GC(II)330 / G(3)400 / W&R174 / Cha121 Prepare the way of the Lord (Jacques Berthier) A lovely simple round. Sheet music and clunky sound sample.Good for kids.
- AoV2-164 / GA475 / G(II)327 / GC467 / GC(II)477 / G(3)557 / StF413 Send down the fire of your justice
(Marty Haugen) This one is usually sung near Pentecost, but I think it could
work quite well with this reading too, particularly if your congregation
already knows it. Lyrics and lead sheet. Sound sample.
- Recorded music The Trumpet Child
(Over the Rhine) From the album The Trumpet Child. We used this song a
fair bit in Advents past. For those who have not heard it, it's really
worth a couple of
listens. You can watch a video and read lyrics of the song here.
Alternative Reading: Baruch 5:1-9
The hope of a time of glory and righteousness for Israel
- G(3)408 Like a Bird that spreads her wings (Dolores Dufner) I think this song could fit quite well; gathering all God's people together, and the anticipation of Advent. Lyrics and lead sheet.
Luke 1:68-79
Zechariah’s
prophecy for John the Baptist before his birth. The call to prophecy.
John is born and lives in the wilderness. Waiting.
-
TiS
265 / AHB 193 / AoV1-174 / NCH116 / CH273 / UMH211 / VU001 / LBW034 /
ELW283 / GA285 / HPP92 / PH009 / GC317 / GC(II)323 / G(3)395 / CP089 / CP(E) 32 /
W&R154 / Cha119 / 82Hml-056 / Lau112 / StF180 / MP493 O come O come Emmanuel (Psaleroilum Cantionum Catholicarum) A very well known ancient Advent
carol. Most versions are
pretty inclusive. Lyrics and history. Sheet music. There are also two alternate versions (one by Sue Wickham and one by John Henson), set to the same tune, but with more modern lyrics and
ideas. Oldy-but-a-goody.
- Online Resource / Protest of Praise 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 preview, sound sample, and purchasing options.
- Online Resource / Tune In Longing for you (Elaine Loukes) A simple chant of longing for God; "Call to us lead us on". Free downloadable songbook and sound samples
-
PfAS1014 In the tender compassion of our God
(Mark Mummert) Using the refrain on its own would work best; verses
could be cantored, or read.
- AoV2-089 / Taizé / MV086 / SFFS 2156 Give peace to every heart / Da Pacem Cordium (Jacques Berthier) A good, simple Taizé chant. Sound samples, sheet music (not cantor lines though)
- ATFG 514 Emmanuel Carol / God of light we are waiting for you
(Gael Berberick) This is a lovely simple Advent song, and easy to pick up I think. Sample sheet music.
- Iona (M&G) / CH359 / MV033 / ZSS54 / StJ / GtG127 / ELW253 / GA293 / SFFS
2085 / G(II)276 / GC370 / GC(II)364 / G(3)429 / CP368 / W&R402 He came down that we may have love / Jesus came bringing us hope
(Traditional Cameroon) The translation in "More Voices" (Jesus came
bringing...) seems particularly appropriate for Advent. A lovely simple
song - you can make up words and have a lot of fun with this if you also
use some drums. Lyrics and sound samples. Good for kids.
- NCH110 / G(II)561 / GC775 / GC(II)5 / G(3)103 / Lau008 Now bless the God of Israel who comes in love and power (Ruth Duck) Good words of salvation based directly on this passage. Sung to the familiar tune FOREST GREEN. Sound sample. Sheet music and lyrics.New words to old tunes
- TiS 284 / VU901 / ELW552 / W&R158 / GtG109 / Cha135 / URW012 / Lau008 Blessed be the God of Israel / O Bless the God of Israel
(Michael Perry) Good words of Christ as the fulfiller of the prophets who will
set God's people free From fear and darkness. Be aware that some
versions (like TiS) use exclusively masculine language for God. URW and
Chalice are inclusive. Set to the simple tune MERLE'S TUNE. New words to old tunes You could also use
Cha137 which uses just the first line refrain of the above, with a responsive reading. Lyrics and sheet music.
- PH601 / WoV725 / PfAS1032 / URW010 Blest be the God of Israel (Song of Zechariah) (Carl Daw) A simple and inclusive paraphrase to the well-known hymn tune KINGSFOLD (TiS 262). Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes
- TiS 279 / AHB 212 / SFFS 2091 / HPP158 / GC487 / GC(II)494 / CP632 / Lau107 The King of glory comes the nation rejoices (Willard Jabusch) Fun and energetic song to a traditional Israeli folk melody. A good processional. Lyrics and chords. Oh, and of course, Stephen Colbert's dance moves. Good for kids.
- ACS903 / AoV1-061 / ATOK 355 / GtG359 / SFFS 2194 / G(II)521 / GC723 / GC(II)707 / G(3)814 / ZSS110 / SgTJ1035 Freedom is coming
(South African) Excellent and lots of fun, especially if you have a
keen African-style drummer in your congregation. It's really worth
teaching the parts to your congregation before the service. It can get a
bit confusing for the congregation otherwise. A range of sound samples (Youtube). History of the song. Sheet music samples. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / Tune in We are the dream that's longing / Jesus is waiting.
(Dave Brown) An honest catchy rock song about our hesitation to follow and Jesus not
only waiting, but continuing to work and change the world. A good
sending-out song. Free downloadable songbook and sound samples.
- 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.
Philippians 1:3-11
See suggestions for Malachi reading above, also.
- ATOK 390 / GGives1 Put on love every day, never hide your love away (Mary Lou Walker)
A fun song for kids; very catchy and it makes everyone smile! Fits well
with this reading about being overflowing with love. Lyrics (ppt) Good for kids.
- ATOK 320 / NCH351 / VU645 / StJ / WoV770 / ELW732 /SFFS 2051 / GtG488 / HPP516 / W&R680 / Cha075 I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry (John Ylvisaker)
A song of God’s presence in all stages of life. Very simple tune to
sing. This always makes me think of Center Church on-the-Green in New
Haven, CT. Lyrics, and a nice (slow) sound sample.
- TiS
217 / AHB 148 / NCH43 / CH519 / UMH384 / VU333 / A&M721 / LBW315 / ELW631 /
A&M721 / GA463 / HPP48 / GtG366 / PH376 / GC622 / GC(II)613 / G(3)641 / CP485/6 / CP(E) 516 /
W&R358 / Cha517 / Srce457 / URW100 / 82Hml-657 / Lau801 / StF503 / MP449 Love divine all loves excelling
(Charles Wesley) Can't possibly sing this song too often! A beautiful classic
song and most hymnals use a very inclusive version of this hymn, even
the AHB! "Joy of heaven" *sigh*, so lovely! Lyrics and sheet music.You may also like to give Rend Collective Experiment's version a listen (hard to sing, but nice for listening). Oldy-but-a-goody.
- CH159 /
A&M715 / CP(E) 81 / W&R70 / SP289 / Srce439 / Lau942 / StF470 / MP428
Lord for the years your love has kept and guided (Timothy Dudley-Smith) Very traditional, but good words. Some lack of
inclusive language in some versions. Sung to a well-known hymn tune (O
PERFECT LOVE). Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- NCH089 / 82Hml-009 Awake awake to love and work
(Geoffrey Studdert-Kennedy) This song is one of my all time favourites. Easy to
sing and wonderful words of getting up and getting going in doing what's
needed with hearts full of love. I especially like the 3rd verse. Sung to the familiar tune
MORNING SONG. Older-style lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
Luke 3:1-6
John the Baptist. I
love the start of Luke's version of this story. It's like "Here's all
these important men, but the word of God came to this ordinary guy out
in the wilderness". This theme continues next week, so I will suggest
the same tunes again - this gives you the opportunity to learn something
new.
- Online Resource / GWA091 Centuries of waiting / The Angels Say (Margaret
McLarty / Stephen Fischbacher / Suzanne Butler) A fun song, with lots
of verses and a stirring chorus. You could just choose the one with
Zechariah in it for this week. I would make the verses alternating
between a cantor and chorus, just like this recording, as the first and
third lines are a little tricky in meter. It doesn't have to sound like a kid's song as it does in the video. Lyric video and purchasing options. Good for kids.
- 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 written for the Christmas Bowl in 1988; thanks to
Simon for alerting me to them. Lyrics (including additional verses), mp3 sample.
- Online resource Down by the Jordan (Carolyn Winfrey-Gillette). Good inclusive words to the familiar tune LOBE DEN HERREN. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- 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 an excellent, fun tune. 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.
- Online Resource / AoVK-50 / ATW 430 Come let us praise our God / A voice is heard (Trisha Watts) Excellent and energetic. Sound sample. Good for kids.
- Seeds of Faith Prepare the Way For Love (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A good song for kids. Sound sample and lyrics. BUC people, I have this book. Good for kids.
- StS008 / SFFS 2089 / GtG163 / PH409 / StF189 Wild and Lone the Prophet's Voice (Carl Daw) Excellent, challenging words. I prefer this sung to ABERYSTWYTH which is well known and easily accessible. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / Tune In Dare to Dream (Elaine Loukes) A
great song about having a vision for the future, being lead by the
light of Bethlehem’s star. Free downloadable songbook and sound samples.
- Online Resource Prepare the way with quietness (David
Bjorlin) Excellent words that pick up on Advent as a time of preparation. Sung to the well known tune LAND OF REST. Lyrics. Song book for purchase. New words to old tunes.
- Taizé / UMH207 / VU10 / StS014 / GtG095 / GC336 / GC(II)330 / G(3)400 / W&R174 / Cha121 Prepare the way of the Lord (Jacques Berthier) A lovely simple round. Sheet music and clunky sound sample.
Good for kids.
- Online Resource: Prepare the way of the Lord (Jeff Lowery) An upbeat song, good for kids and teenagers, I think. The verses are kind of wordy, but they're good words. Free sheet music.
Sound sample. The verses follow the traditional advent themes of peace, hope, joy and
love, so you could also sing it every Sunday of Advent. Good for kids.
- VU010 Prepare the way of the Lord
(Michael Burkhardt) A lovely simple round in 6:8. "Prepare the way of the Lord!
X2 Make a straight path for him, make a straight path. Prepare the way
of the Lord!" You can split into 6 groups for this one! What fun! Sample sheet music. Simple sound sample. Good for kids.
- Online Resource Prepare the way of the Lord (Tom Council) A nice setting for a choir. Free sheet music.
- Recorded Music: Prepare ye the way of the Lord -
Godspell (Stephen Schwarz) This is still a great call to worship for
this Sunday. You know, the movie is really dated, but the scenes seem
kind of fresh again, at least, for this song, except maybe for that nurse's uniform. Get that gospel choir
going if you have the sheet music. Track it down! Youtube.
- Recorded Music: Prepare ye the way of the Lord
(Michael W Smith) Love the Aussie accent in the readings for the Intro to this. The
song is just a chorus really. Maybe I just like those jangly U2-esque
guitars. "Come on, church". Cracks me up. But it's kind of inspiring. Youtube.
- TiS 288 / Iona Not the powerful not the privileged
(John Bell) Note that the lyrics are masculine for God in one instance in
the 4th verse. The lyrics are great though, so perhaps balance this song
with some feminine imagery elsewhere in the service! The tune is not
difficult. Lyrics (scroll down).
Got any ideas of your own for any of these readings? Please add them in the comments below!
As well as considering the songs listed below, you may wish to explore more "general" Advent songs. Here is a list.
Jeremiah 33:14-16
The days are coming for God's promise of justice and righteousness to be fulfilled
- TiS
265 / AHB 193 / AoV1-174 / NCH116 / CH273 / UMH211 / VU001 / LBW034 /
ELW283 / GA285 / HPP92 / GtG088 / PH009 / GC317 / GC(II)323 / G(3)395 / CP089 / CP(E) 32 /
W&R154 / Cha119 / 82Hml-056 / Lau112 / StF280 / MP493 O come O come Emmanuel
(Psalerolium Cantionum Catholicarum) A very well known ancient Advent
song. The lyrical reference to Israel is confusing and this year (2024)
in particular will require some exposition for your congregation. Most
versions are pretty inclusive. Lyrics, sheet music.
There are also two alternate versions (one by Sue Wickham and one by John Henson), set to the same tune, but with more modern lyrics and
ideas. Oldy-but-a-goody and New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource 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 would fit well with this reading. Good for kids. Free sheet music. Sound sample.
- Online Resource / AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love
(Trish 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 and sheet music sample and purchasing options. Good for kids
- Online Resource / Tune In Kingdom Come (Matthew Lees) A song about how things are not what we expect in God’s kingdom. Lots of words and good images. Good for kids. Free sheet music, sound samples and lyrics
- Online Resource / Tune In: Making things new (Sheree Anderson). A groovy one. Great for kids, and lots of fun. Good for kids. Free sheet music, sound samples and lyrics
- ACS903 / AoV1-061 / ATOK 355 / GtG359 / SFFS 2194 / G(II)521 / GC723 / GC(II)707 / G(3)814 / ZSS110 / SgTJ1035 Freedom is coming
(South African) Excellent and lots of fun, especially if you have a
keen African-style drummer in your congregation. It's really worth
teaching the parts to your congregation before the service. It can get a
bit confusing for the congregation otherwise. A range of sound samples (Youtube). History of the song. Sheet music samples. Good for kids.
- Online Resource Jesus faithful ancient tree
(Hannah Brown / Benjamin Brody) Excellent words with many images of
Jesus as a tree, root, branch and trunk. The tune is simple and readily
singable. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options. Sound sample.
- Taizé
/ MV016 / StJ / ELW528 / GA430 / SFFS 2157 / HPP410 / GtG466 /
G(II)398 / GC570 / GC(II)550 / G(3)637 / CP402 / URW378 / Lau701 Come and Fill our hearts/ Confitemini Domino
(Jacques Berthier) Can be sun in English as "Come and fill our hearts with your
peace, you
alone O God are holy. Come and fill our hearts with your peace,
Alleluia". A good song of recommitment. Obviously if you don't sing
Alleluias during Lent, this is not for you. You could replace the
Alleluia with Hosanna if you really want to sing it. Sound samples and sheet music.
- Online Resource / ACS901 / GWA098 Now the heavens start to whisper
(Mary Louise Bringle) Excellent words of the whole of creation waiting
for the rod of Jesse to spring forth, set to the Welsh tune SUO GÂN. Sound sample, sheet music sample and choral version for purchase. New words to old tunes.
- VU023 / CP104 Joy shall come even to the wilderness (Israeli traditional) A traditional Israeli song. Excellent words and the tune is cool. Lyrics.
- Recorded music There's a new world coming / New World Coming (Nina Simone) A song about the old world passing away, and the dawning of a new world of peace. This version has a spoken word section which references Revelation 15, but the other recordings of this song do not hold a candle to Nina Simone. Recording.
Psalm 25:1-10
Make me know your ways, teach me your paths. Trust in God
- Online Resource To you, O Lord I lift my soul (Val
Parker) I really like this very simple response (which has only two
notes, but really good chords!). It can be used with a cantor and choir
if you have one, but for many congregations, just the response will be
useful to use with spoken verses. Sound and sheet music samples and purchasing options.
- URW143 The Grace of God is like a road
(Michael Hudson) Beautiful words of God's presence and call to follow. Sung to a
familiar tune THE GIFT OF LOVE, that is almost the same as O WALY WALY.
Highly recommended. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / Tune In Like the sun upon my skin / God’s Mercy (Sheree Anderson) A beautiful ballad about identifying God's mercy in the beauty of creation. Free downloadable songbook and sound sample.
- Online Resource I Lay Open (Psalm 25) (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A calm reflective chant that could be used as a responsive refrain, or as a devotional prayer. Sound sample & contact details for sheet music.
- Online Resource / Tune In 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". Free downloadable songbook and sound sample
-
ATFG563 / NCYC'03 / The Red Book How long must we cry out?
(Robin Mann) This is a big Brunswick favourite, great for young people in
particular. "Teach me to do what is right, walk in the darkness, trust
in the light and may love be the path I walk upon".
Good for teenagers. Lyrics. Lyric video.
- TiS
666 / AoV2-113 / AoVK-126 / ATOK 409 / NCH526 / Iona (Common Ground,
Freedom is Coming) / CH516 / VU646/647 / WoV650 / ELW866 / A&M483 / SFFS 2235 /
HPP153 / GtG853 / G(II)357 / GC513 / GC(II)516 / G(3)594 / Cha442 / SP235 / Srce737 / StF483 / MP954 We are marching in the light of God / Siyahamba / Caminando (South
African) A very popular chorus, with possible alternate verses,
depending on your source. Sometimes people get anxious about the word
"marching", but remember that this song comes from apartheid-era South
Africa, where people were protesting so that they could vote in their
own country. And the marching is toi-toing, much less militaristic than
what you may imagine. Amazing choral sound sample. Sheet music. Good for kids.
- NCH Psalter 25 Your mercy and love have been from of old
(Judy Hunnicutt) A lovely simple Psalm refrain.
- Emergent Psalter Let me know your ways (Isaac Everett) A really good psalm response. I just love this book - I think I like every Psalm in it. Sheet music (refrain only).
- Iona (WWHW) / MV223 We will go with God / Sizohamba naye (Traditional Swaziland) A simple Zulu song from Swaziland. Good for the end of the service. Video with pronunciation and parts.
Note that MV has a different set of English words; neither are a direct translation. Sound sample of a more traditional version. Good for kids.
- Online Resource / VU753 / AA117
/ A&M773 / SP306 Safe in the hands of God / Safe in your hands O God
(Michael Perry) Good paraphrase of the Psalm. Tune will need to be played
through at least once before the congregation join in. Lyrics & Sheet music.
- Online resource Make me know your ways (Bruce Harding) A nice laid back and groovy Psalm response or chant. Can work as a round, too. Sheet music. Good for kids.
- GA280 / GtG089 / G(II)252 / GC328 / GC(II)336 / G(3)415 / Lau111 For you O Lord my soul in stillness waits (Marty Haugen)
Nice refrain, and verses that contain a good range of images of God.
Might be best for the congregation to join in only in the refrain as
verses are long and have lots of words. Sound sample. Lead sheet & Lyrics
-
ATOK
414 / Iona (LFB, Common Ground) / CH501 / GA485 /
A&M788 / G(II)480 / GC673 / GC(II)655 / SP311 / StF513 / Lau850 Take this moment, sign and space (John Bell) A fairly well known favourite. Simple melody and beautiful words. Lyrics.
- Online Resource / MV045 / SP&P051 Hamba nathi (Zulu) There are a lot of translations of this song. I like "Come walk with us, the journey is long". Sound sample. Sheet music. Good for kids
- TIS 624 / W&R453 / StF492 Christ be my leader by night as by day (John Bell) Excellent words of following Christ in times of struggle to a traditional Scottish melody. Lyrics New words to old tunes.
- Online Resource / VU752 / G(II)34 / GC36 / GC(II)26 / G(3)039 / PfAS025A / URW248 To you O God I lift my soul (Marty Haugen) Simple lilting cantor and response "To you O Lord I lift my soul, to you I lift my soul". Lead sheet. Sound sample. Purchasing options.
- AoV2-014 To You O God I Lift Up My Soul
(Bob Hurd) I like this; it's pretty groovy, and has good lyrics; you could
also use the chorus on its own, or with a read version of the Psalm. Sound sample and lyrics.
- TiS 14 / GA026 To you, O Lord I lift my soul (Christopher Willcock) Good cantor and response. Sound sample.
- Taizé / CH276 / VU22 / GtG090 / ELW262 / GA283 / A&M053 / G(II)256 / GC332 /
GC(II)340 / G(3)406 / CP094 / W&R166 / PfAS037B / SP28 / URW396 / Lau088 Wait for the Lord (Jacques Berthier) "Wait for the Lord whose day is near, wait for the lord,
keep watch, take heart". A lovely simple Taizé chant. Some older
versions are not inclusive. Sheet music, translations and sound samples.
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
It's good to get together with other people of faith? Not sure where to head with this reading. Suggestions welcomed!
- NCH112 Keep awake be always ready
(Arthur Clyde) New words to the tune for the traditional Advent hymn "Wake awake for night is flying"
(WACHET AUF). I particularly like the second verse of this one. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
- ATW 498 / Iona (T1AU) / MV 196 / SP&P182 / URW438 We will take what you offer (John Bell) An
excellent simple short song that works well either as an upbeat chorus
or as a reflective chant. "We will take what you offer. We will live by
your word. We will love one another. And be fed by you Lord". Good for kids. Sound sample.
Luke 21:25-36
Signs to be seen and Christ coming in glory. Be alert!
- Online Resource / Tune In Tune in
(Natalie Sims) A simple kid’s song. “Tune in, tune in, there’s a message
coming in.” Encourages kids to look and listen for signs of God’s love. Free sheet music, sound samples and lyrics
- TiS
217 / AHB 148 / NCH43 / CH519 / UMH384 / VU333 / A&M721 / LBW315 / ELW631 /
A&M721 / GA463 / HPP48 / GtG366 / PH376 / GC622 / GC(II)613 / G(3)641 / CP485/6 / CP(E) 516 /
W&R358 / Cha517 / Srce457 / URW100 / 82Hml-657 / Lau801 / StF503 / MP449 Love divine all loves excelling
(Charles Wesley) Can't possibly sing this song too often! A beautiful classic
song and most hymnals use a very inclusive version of this hymn, even
the AHB! "Joy of heaven" *sigh*, so lovely! Lyrics and sheet music.You may also like to give Rend Collective Experiment's version a listen (hard to sing, but nice for listening). Oldy-but-a-goody.
- CH452 / AA57 Great ring of light
(Colin Gibson) Beautiful words of Christ's sacrifice and the image of a clear
beam of love and light. The tune is also simple and beautiful, albeit
unfamiliar. Sheet music.
- TiS 279 / AHB 212 / SFFS 2091 / HPP158 / GC487 / GC(II)494 / CP632 / Lau107 The King of glory comes the nation rejoices (Willard Jabusch) Fun and energetic song to a traditional Israeli folk melody. A good processional. Lyrics and chords. Oh, and of course, Stephen Colbert's dance moves. Good for kids.
- TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Marty Haugen). Another big favourite. Good for kids. Sheet music, lyrics. Sound sample.
- NCH112 Keep awake be always ready (Arthur Clyde) New words to the tune for the traditional Advent hymn "Wake awake for night is flying"
(WACHET AUF). I particularly like the second verse of this one. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
What ideas do you have? If you have some suggestions for any of the above readings, please join the conversation and share them as a comment below. I'd love to know what you're singing (or would like to sing...)
