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Songs, Hymns & Music for Advent 1B (November 29 2026)

General songs about Advent are listed here.

Isaiah 64:1-9
A cry to God for restoration. You are the potter, you made us. Come on God, don’t be mad. Remember we’re your people.
  • GWA221 Lord you hear the cry of the widow weeping / Lord have mercy  (Geraldine Latty, England) Anthemic chorus! I think this could work well, but will need to be taught. Sound sample. Lyrics (in an order of service). 
  • Online Resource Come to our world Emmanuel (David Bjorlin, USA) Excellent words seeking God's renewal of a troubled world. It is set to a soothing tune, inspired by the old BBC Narnia series. Sheet music and lyrics sample and purchasing options. Sound sample. 
  • Online Resource / Resounding Voices / TLUS056 / VT044 We long to know her the maker of heaven (Jacque Jones, USA) Rich feminine imagery of God as creator, wisdom and bringer of justice. Sung to a tune that may be familiar (STAR OF THE EAST). Free book download here. 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. 
  • CH252 / VU578 / GA481 / SFFS 2237 / G(II)471 / GC663 / GC(II)643 / G(3)744 / W&R551 / Lau828 As a Fire Is Meant for Burning (Ruth Duck) Excellent lyrics of unity across all nations set to the familiar tune BEACH SPRING. Not terribly Adventish, but great. Lyrics & sheet music. New words to old tunes.
  • Online Resource Drawing Nearer (Christopher Grundy) An excellent contemporary song about the lack of peace within the world and within our souls, and the desire for God to "steal our hearts - like a baby". It's great. I would use this first by a soloist, and invite the congregation to join in as they get the hang of it. Free sheet music. Sound sample (Youtube).
  • Online Resource / GA279 / A&M56 / SP019 Word of Justice / Advent Litany (Bernadette Farrell) A good call and response for Advent, with many many verses. Only use a few each week. The cantor says one line, then the congregation respone "Allelulia!", the cantor again, then "Maranatha! Sound sample, sheet music previews, and purchasing options for mp3s and 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 / VT239 / 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 and it could easily work as an Advent Candle lighting song. Just sing hope, love, peace or joy, depending on the week. Would be more exciting and energetic with some African drums, rather than a quiet reflective candle lighting song.Lyrics and sound samples. Lyric video. Good for kids.
  • NCH112 Keep awake be always ready (Arthur Clyde) New words to the tune for "Wake awake for night is flying", which is a traditional Advent tune (WACHET AUF). I particularly like the second verse of this one. Lyrics (downloads a pdf).
  • Traditional / ATA 124 / SLW42 / UMH494 / GtG472 / PH338 / W&R487 / Cha590 / PfAS079A Kumbaya, my Lord (South Carolina Creole Song) I think this song is really beautiful sometimes. Sometimes it’s really awful too, unfortunately. If we sing this as a song from an enslaved community seeking the presence of God, it is much more meaningful than if we sing it as a 1960s folk song. My thoughts and some helpful links.
  • AA162 Yes as the clay in the potter's hand (Cecily Sheehy) I do not actually have this book or know this song, but you might, and it fits this reading well. 
  • TiS 626 / AHB 557 / CH500 / GA423 / Lau888 Lord of creation to you be all praise! (Jack Winslow) A wonderful traditional and quite inclusive hymn to the familiar tune SLANE. Lyrics.
  • StF183 Praise to the God who clears the way (Jan Berry) Good words to a simple tune. Each verse reflects on a different nature of God: clearing the way, coming to judge, waiting with us, and bringing comfort. Lyrics and lyric video. 
  • AoVK-29 Remember we are your people (Tony Barr) Simple three part chant "Remember we are your people, your people O God". This would work really well as a sung refrain during the prayer of confession. It would also be good for kids if you can explain the concept. Sound sample. 
  • Online Resource / ACS902 / VT143  Come now O God when our love is forsaken (David Bjorlin, USA) Reflective words of seeking for God to come in the midst of sadness. Set to a traditional folk tune, which may not be familiar, so will need to be taught. Or perhaps the congregation could just listen. Sound sample, sheet music sample and purchasing options. And a new sound sample.
  • Online Resource / Tune In / NCYC '07 Forgive us now (Dave Brown) This is one of the best songs seeking forgiveness that I know. “Forgive us now, O mother love for all the idols we have built, For all the time we’ve worshipped there in company of dark despair. Forgive us mother of all hope”. Free downloadable songbook.
  • Online Resource / Tune In You in all our worries / All will finish well (Dave Brown)“In this world where injustice reigns, you are in the midst of pain”. Excellent words of reassurance in a difficult world. Free downloadable songbook.
  • SP&P020 We are waiting for you (Christopher Grundy) A gentle song of waiting. Would be good for the musicians to sing for the congregation during a meditative part of the service, or to commence the service. This song would also work well during distribution of communion. Sound sample.
  • Online Resource We are clay (Bruce Harding) A simple chorus which could be used prayerfully or in an upbeat style; if you sing it about twice the speed of the sound sample, swung, with some percussion, it would be a great song for kids if you are talking to them about pottery wheels. Free sheet music. 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.
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Restore us, let your face shine that we may be saved. 
  • 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 (Psalterolium Cantionum Catholicarum, Germany) A very well known ancient Advent song, although it could be sung at any time of year. The lyrical reference to the Biblical nation of Israel can be confusing and will require some exposition for your congregation. Traditional (masculine) English translation and sheet music. You may prefer to sing these lyrics (also quoted in the comments below) by Avery Arden which seek God's intervention to liberate Palestine. Many have written 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.
  • CH573 / UMH523 / GtG789 / PfAS061B / STB059 Jesus Savior Lord lo to thee I fly / Saranam Saranam (Daniel Thambyrajah Niles, Sri Lanka) I think this would be an excellent song to sing, not only because the words are good and because the tune is simple and beautiful, but because we need to keep praying for the people of Sri Lanka. You could use just the refrain if you would like a short song - it works quite well on its own.  Story.  Lyrics & chords.
  • TiS 42 / GA047 Lord make us turn to you, let us see your face and we shall be saved (Kathleen Boschetti, Australia) A simple refrain and mostly inclusive cantor part. We have sung this at Brunswick some years ago and it went very well. Don't forget that you can use these refrains with a reader if you don't have someone confident enough to cantor.
  • Online Resource / PfAS080C O Shepherd hear and lead your flock (Michael Morgan, USA) Strong mournful and formal words to the rather Christmassy tune ST LOUIS. Lyrics and sheet music. New words to old tunes.
  • Tune In / Online Resource Longing for you (Elaine Loukes, Australia) A simple chant of longing for God. Free downloadable songbook, lyrics and sound samples. Good for kids.
  • W&R632 / Cha512 When Aimless Violence Takes Those We Love (Joy Patterson, USA) Excellent words for a time of grieving violent death; this won't suit most congregations, but perhaps there is one who needs it this Advent. It's sung to the well known tune SURSUM CORDA. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
  • Emergent Psalter Restore us God (Isaac Everett, USA) Another good refrain and read Psalm with instrumental backing. I'm still loving this book. Sheet music (refrain only, click on the Downloads tab)
  • Tune In / Online Resource Our God who weeps (Kate Scull, Australia) Very simple folk-like tune and challenging and hopeful lyrics. "When death has taken those held dear"... Free downloadable songbook, sound samples and lyrics.
  • Online Resource Restore us (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan, USA) A hopeful contemporary song. This is simple enough for a congregation to sing the first time, I think, but if you're feeling less hopeful about the singing ability of your congregation, they could just join in on the VERY simple chorus! Lyrics, sound sample and sheet music.
  • Online Resource / AoVK-29 Remember we are your people (Tony Barr, Australia) Simple three part chant "Remember we are your people, your people O God". This would work really well as a sung refrain during the prayer of confession. Sound sample, sheet music sample and purchasing options. Good for kids.
  • VT051 / VU239 O great Spirit how I long to hear (Doreen Clellamin, Nuxalk, Canada) Written by a First Nations Canadian woman, this very simple song would be best with a good hand-clapping rhythm or drumming. Lyrics (in an order of service). Simply sung version.
  • Online Resource / StJ / G(II)346 / GC506 / GC(II)508 / G(3)586 You Are All We Have (Francis Patrick O'Brien, USA) A nice refrain and good cantor parts. Somewhat formal. Sound sample, sheet music sample and purchasing options.
  • NCH563 / MV143 / HPP260 / GC710 / GC(II)703 / G(3)811 / RS 636 / Cha684 / URW169 / Lau688 We cannot own the sunlit sky / Abundant life (Ruth Duck, USA) I like these words full of hope for the future. I would prefer to sing it to the tune of "How can I keep From singing". LA GRANGE is the other option. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
  • Psalm Project (2010) Shout for Joy Turn and restore us (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan, USA) This is a little bit country. Very cool, and I think a younger congregation would probably pick this up fairly quickly. Sound sample.  
1 Corinthians 1:3-9  
Words of greeting. Not lacking in spiritual gifts as you wait for Christ; Any Advent song listed on the general Advent songs page would work for this reading. 
  • Online Resource / AoVK-28 / ATOK 376 Faith hope and love (Tricia Watts, Australia) 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 samples, purchasing options.
  • ATFG514 Emmanuel Carol / God of light we are waiting for you (Gael Berberick, USA) This is a lovely song; you will need to teach it, but once it's known, it's pretty easy. Sheet music sample. If you sang this during Advent, this may be a good opportunity to repeat it.
  • Online Resource / AoVK-58 We wait in hope for the Lord (Nathaniel Ford, Australia) Simple acapella round "We wait in hope for the Lord, God is our help and our shield. And so our hearts rejoice, for we trust in God's holy name". Sound and sheet music samples, purchasing options.
  • Tune In / Online Resource Come O God and visit us sick we pray / Your abundant life (Dave Brown, Australia) A joyful song "Lead us into your abundant life". Free downloadable songbook.
Mark 13:24-37
Keep awake. The son of Man is coming in the clouds.
  • Online Resource This time of darkness bears a dream (Hannah Brown, USA) These are hopeful words of a better world to come, set to WEXFORD CAROL, which is a familiar tune, but not immediately easy to sing. New words to old tunes. Sheet music sample, lyrics and purchasing options. 
  • Online Resource Come Christmas Child (Shirley Murray, Aotearoa / New Zealand) A wonderful new song expressing that Christ will come amid the pain and hurt that exists in the world. The tune is not easy - it will need to be taught, but the lyrics will make it worth the time! Lyrics and sheet music.
  • Online Resource / AoV1-057 / G(II)485 /  GC678 / GC(II)663 / G(3)766 / Lau824 Awake from your slumber / City of God (Dan Schutte) I love the joyousness and sense of mission in this one. A really positive song “Let us build the city of God, let us turn our morning to dancing, for the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into day”. There is a little bit of non-inclusiveness in the middle "bridge" section; we often just omit it, which has the benefit of making the song less confusing for a congregation as well - or you could change the lyrics. Sound sample, sample sheet music & lyrics, and purchasing options. We play it much more energetically at BUC. 
  • NCH121 / UMH210 / VU005 / WoV629 / ELW266 / W&R163 / Cha139 All earth is waiting / All earth is hopeful / Toda la tierra espera al Salvador (Alberto Taulé, Spain / Catalonia) Fun Catalonian tune, good words, although the English translations vary between sources. Could be good for kids. A nice recording from Chile in Spanish. Slow and majestic organ sample and English lyrics.
  • Online Resource / GC324 / RS 492 Here in this world where darkness surrounds us / Come O Hope of your people / Advent Gathering (Rory Cooney, USA) Excellent questioning words. Cantor and response. Simple to sing, and quite beautiful "Show us your face, O promise of dawn". It's in 7/8 so it immediately appeals to me.... Sheet music sample, sound sample, choral sheet music for purchase.
  • Recorded music The Trumpet Child (Over the Rhine) 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.
  • GA281 Gather in hope people of God / Advent Song (Deidre Browne / Jane Wood, Australia) Joyful refrain, and cantor response verses. "Gather in hope, people of God, sing the Advent song! Song of faith, song of trust, a song to welcome the Christ". The verses seem a bit tricky. Sound sample and lyrics. 
  • Iona (M&G) / CH359 / MV033 / ZSS54 / StJ / GtG137 / 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 (Unknown, Cameroon) The translation in "More Voices" (Jesus came bringing...) seems particularly appropriate for Advent and it could easily work as an Advent Candle lighting song. Just sing hope, love, peace or joy, depending on the week. Would be more exciting and energetic with some African drums, rather than a quiet reflective candle lighting song. Lyrics and sound sample. Good for kids.
  • TiS 309 / AHB 235 / NCH126 / CH324 / UMH220 / VU036 / LBW050 / ELW275 / GtG143 / CP143 / G(3)438 / CP(E) 44 / W&R189 / Cha149 / Srce2-29 / 82Hml-093 / Lau131 Angels from the realms of glory (James Montgomery, Scotland) Sometimes I am very hard core about not singing Christmas Carols in Advent, but I'm getting less strict, especially since learning about Sheffield Carols, and this song would fit. Lyrics and one possible tune.
  • AoV2-140 / NCH125 / UMH238 / VU038 / LBW071 / ELW289 / GA286 / HPP125 / PH022 / GtG113 / GC358 / GC(II)369 / G(3)430 / W&R188 / Cha155 / 82Hml-096 / Lau130 Angels we have heard on high (Unknown, France) See above. Christmas or Advent?! History, sheet music and sound sample.
  • UMH719 / VU708 / WoV627 / ELW832 / GtG352 / PH449 / W&R537 / Cha708 / StF179 My Lord what a morning (Unknown, African-American)  I quite like this one. Needs some context, so most appropriate for congregations in the USA. Lyrics.
What will you be singing? Please share your ideas in a comment below!
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Winter, Longest Night, & Winter Solstice Songs (updated for 2026)

Below the initial list are songs for the Northern Hemisphere, where the Longest Night is shortly before Christmas, then a short list of songs that celebrate all the changing seasons. 
 
If you are in the Northern Hemisphere, You may also like to look at the list of songs for "Blue Christmas", a time for quieter reflection during the Christmas Season. 
 
Longest Night Songs (not necessarily Christmas)
  • Online Resource Dim the light and still the clamor (Hannah Brown, USA) Thoughtful words adding to the words of Auden, about sitting with grief; not specifically Christian, so could also fit at interfaith gatherings. The tune is lovely, but not simple, so it might also be appropriate for soloists. Sheet music sample, lyrics and purchasing options.  
  • TLUS092 The darkness comes to hold our grief (David Robertson, Canada) A beautiful hymn about darkness bringing warmth and clarity.
  • Online Resource / GWA097 The daylight dims as the sun sinks low (Mary Louise Bringle, USA / Sally Ann Morris, USA) Excellent words of waiting and watching, with each verse ending with the line "this is our longest night". The tune is quite simple, and changes for the third verse. Sound and sheet music samples and purchasing options.
  • Recorded music Longest Night (Peter Mayer, USA) This is a lovely and very appropriate song, which you might like to play. Lyrics and source. Sound sample.
  • Online Resource / HiOS139 Through winter cold (Shirley Murray, Aotearoa / New Zealand) Lilting Celtic tune and lyrics of hope in the depths of Winter. Sheet music and lyrics.
  • NCH434 / VU530 / HPP275 / PH292 / CP427 All beautiful the march of days (Frances Wile, USA) Winter snow and ice. Sung to the familiar tune FOREST GREEN. Lyrics and sample sheet music. New words to old tunes.   
  • Online Resource Behold the night (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan, USA) This is a simple chant "Behold the night, there are gifts here in the dark, soon the sun returns". Youtube.  
  • Taizé / A&M847 / GtG294 / G(II)456 / GC644 / PfAS088A / SP330 Within Our Darkest Night / Dans nos obscurités  (Jacques Berthier, France) A lovely chant of continuing hope in the face of despair. Lyrics and sound samples. Good for kids.
  • VU278 / URW221 In the quiet curve of evening (Juliana Howard, USA) Beautiful words about God's presence in the spaces of our lives. Simple tune. Lyrics.
  • MV071 / GC(II)339 / G(3)417 / Online Resource When the wind of Winter blows (Ruth Duck, USA) This is very beautiful, and can be used either as a choral work (online version) or as a congregational song (hymnals). Best if you can teach the two-part refrain to the congregation; you could also use a soloist for the verses. Sheet music and sound samples.  
  • Online Resource / ACS1096 / Cha333 / GtG230 / G(II)550 / GC760 / GWA096 / VU284 Joyful Is the Dark (Brian Wren, USA) I really like these words which summarise the entire story arc of faith. Hymnals vary widely in the tunes they have set these lyrics to. GtG uses a really difficult key but the tune is nice. GWA uses GEARY, which I quite like, but will need to be taught. Lyrics and various sheet music samples.  
  • VU181 Midnight sharpness starfields fading (Neil Lemke / David Kai, Canada) Quite nice gentle Winter evening song. Lyrics, and link to video.
  • Online Resource / NCH432 / CH234 Tis winter now; the fallen snow (Samuel Longfellow, England) Simple words based on Psalm 74, sung to O WALY WALY. The words are beautiful, though not completely inclusive in CH234. Lyrics and sample sheet music. New words to old tunes 

Songs for Longest Night at Christmas time

  • NCH128 / CH305 / UMH221 / VU055 / ELW294 / HPP115 / PH036 / GtG144 / CP122 / CP(E) 55 / W&R196 / Srce2-275 / 82Hml-112 / Lau144 / StF204 / MP337 In the bleak midwinter (Christina Rossetti) Beautiful. Very Northern-hemispherific though. Oldy-but-a-goody. Lyrics.
  • TiS 321 / AHB 245 Coldly the night winds winging (Morris Martin) I think this is one of the most beautiful carols in existence. Oldy-but-a-goody. Lyrics (and a very slow recording).
  • URW418 God comes to us (Dirk Damonte) Very lovely simple song. Could be used as a chant, or at various points during the service. Sound sample.
  • Online resource A babe was born a little one / Winter's child (Daniel Damon) A gentle storytelling song with the repeated line "in the dark'ning time of the year. Very simple to sing. Lyric video. Sheet music.
  • VU049 / CP129 No crowded eastern street (Frieda Major) This song is a good Christmas hymn for those who live in the plains or prairies in the Northern Hemisphere. Lovely words, and a simple tune. Youtube version of a tune that is not in either book - includes lyrics.
  • Online Resource / 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. Sound sample, sheet music sample, choral version sheet music for purchase.
  • VU078 Sing till sundown hum your joy (Eileen Spinelli) A song for snowy places. This is a quite delightful song of hope "Now we're dancing through the snow"! Lyrics. Lyric video (piano only).
  • Online resource Enchanted by candles (Adam Tice / Sally Ann Morris) This song is unashamedly sentimental, while still being powerfully meaningful. Beautiful tune. It almost makes me wish I lived in the Northern Hemisphere so I could sing it at Christmas Time. Sound and sheet music sample and purchasing options.
  • G(II)274 / GC365 / GC(II)360 / G(3)432 Silent in the Chill of Midnight (Francis Patrick O'Brien) Quite nice Christmas lullaby. Northern Hemisphere specific. Lyrics.
Songs for all seasons:
  • Unknown Source We'll weave a love / Song of Community (Carolyn McDade) A song of all seasons. It's a little bit tricky to learn, but once learned, you will not forget it "We'll weave a love that greens sure as spring, then deepens in summer to the fall autumn brings". Sheet music (downloads a pdf)
  • Online Resource Flow'ring in the summer / Faithful Seasons (Helen Wiltshire) Australian imagery for all the seasons, and how it's worth celebrating them! This book is no longer available online, but if you have a copy, now is the time to get it out.
  • STB026 Seasons Come Seasons Go / Ella kkaladollu (Kannada Bhajan) I think this song from India would not be too hard to learn, but it will need to be taught because the melody (THANDHEYU) will not be familiar. The words are really quite lovely, including the English translation. Sheet music sample.
  • VU632 / StS100 / WoV695 / ELW447 / SFFS 2076 / StF617 / LUYH794 O blessed Spring where word and sign (Susan Palo Cherwien) Imagery of Christ the vine and the changes that the seasons bring, this song speaks of all four seasons. Hymnals vary in the tune selected. I like it best to O WALY WALY.  Lyrics.
  • VT176 O God great womb of wondrous love (Harris J Loewen, Canada) Beautiful immersive words of God throughout the creation story, and the continuing waiting for the fulfilment of creation. The tune by Katie Graber is simple and quite monastic. Particularly beautiful in parts, but also fine in unison. Love it. You don't need to sing all 5 verses, as each has plenty of satisfying imagery to ponder; verse 2 is particularly appropriate for thinking about seasons. Some lyrics here.   

 If you have ideas to share, please add them in a comment below.

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