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.
Table of Contents:
1. Awake, My Soul! Awake, My Tongue!
2. Come, O Precious Ransom
3. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
4. Comfort, Comfort Now My People
5. Creator of the Stars of Night
6. Fling Wide the Door
7. Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
8. Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding!
9. Hark, the Glad Sound!
10. Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates
11. Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending
12. O Come, Divine Messiah
13. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
14. Of the Father’s Love Begotten
15. O Lord, How Shall I Meet You?
16. On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry
17. Prepare the Way, O Zion
18. Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers
19. Savior of the Nations, Come
20. Shepherds, Shake Off Your Drowsy Sleep
21. The Advent of Our God
22. The King Shall Come
23. Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying
24. Watchman, Tell Us of the Night
