In the Christian Church, Advent is the time of preparation leading up to Christmas. Traditionally, there are four Sundays in Advent featuring specific scripture readings on a three-year cycle known as the “lectionary.” Certain Advent hymn texts are associated with these readings and are often sung on the corresponding Sunday; however, this can vary, depending on the year of the lectionary and the preferences of the clergy. Also, many of the hymns are suitable for more than one Sunday. The four Sundays of Advent have a theme associated with each of them, as follows: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Candles are customarily lighted on each Sunday of Advent and each candle has a particular significance: The Prophecy Candle, The Bethlehem Candle, The Shepherd’s Candle, and The Angel’s Candle. For more information on the candles and their colors (Gaudete Sunday’s candle is rose colored) see this link.
The arrangements are written only in the keys of C, G, and D and can be played on a 26-string harp, range of low C to high G.
Table of Contents
- Awake, My Soul! Awake, My Tongue!
- Come, O Precious Ransom
- Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
- Comfort, Comfort Now My People
- Creator of the Stars of Night
- Fling Wide the Door
- Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
- Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding!
- Hark, the Glad Sound!
- Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates
- Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending
- O Come, Divine Messiah
- O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
- Of the Father’s Love Begotten
- O Lord, How Shall I Meet You?
- On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry
- Prepare the Way, O Zion
- Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers
- Savior of the Nations, Come
- Shepherds, Shake Off Your Drowsy Sleep
- The Advent of Our God
- The King Shall Come
- Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying
- Watchman, Tell Us of the Night
