An Anthology Of Hymns And Songs For Advent

Advent symbolizes three distinct historical events of Scripture:

(1) Christ's second coming; (2) The prophetic ministry of John the Baptist and his forbearers of the Old Testament; and (3) The angelic annunciations, both to Joseph and to Mary, of the coming birth of the Savior. Advent begins with the broadest scope in prophetic time and narrows the time span to the specific point of the annunciation of the Lord's coming birth. The spirit of worship is consequently one of hope, of expectancy, and of certitude in the prophetic statements concerning the Messiah's arrival. It is both the historical affirmation of Christ's first coming and expectation of his second Advent, a reality-to-come, that is the true hope of the believer (Titus 2:13–14). Advent consists of four Sundays. The first immediately follows the last Sunday after Pentecost (that is, the Sunday of the Fulfillment), while the final one is the Sunday nearest Christmas Eve (the Nativity season itself being Christmas Eve, Christmas dawn and day, together with the first and second Sundays prior to January 6). Congregational selections for Advent in this anthology reflect the three themes described above. In a number of instances, the most appropriate Sunday for specific hymns will be suggested. (Note: please refer to article #159 for a key to the hymnals and songbooks abbreviated below.) A Message Came to a Maiden Young Luke 1:26–29 [Dutch: P. Dearmer; arr. D. McK. Williams] Annunciation Tune; see W-II:1 Advent Canticle John 1:1–3,14; [Mark Hayes (1976)] see WH:97 Advent of Our God Philippians 2:5–7 [C. Coffin/W. Walter] Festal Song; see SDAH:117 Ah, Think Not the Lord Delayeth 2 Peter 3:9 [P. Dearmer/arr. J. Konig] Allies ist an Gottest Segen; see PH:112; Chorale Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came, The Luke 1:26–27 [S. Baring-Gould/Basque Carol] Gabriel's Message; see H-III: Arise, Sons of the Kingdom Luke 19:38 [J.Rist/Hamburg, (1598)] Aus Meines Herzens Grunde; see LH:69; Chorale Behold, He Cometh Luke 21:28 [Jerry Kirk (1967)] see WH:109 Blessed Be the God of Israel Isaiah 7:13; Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 1:1 [M. Perry/B. Harwood (1987)] Thornbury; see HS-II:20; Unison melody; chordal underlay Blest Be the God of Israel Luke 1:68–79 [J. Quinn/New Version, (1708)] St. Matthew; see H-III:193 Blest Be the God of Israel Luke 1:68–79 [J. Quinn/English Traditional] Forest Green; see CPH: 79; Chorale Bridegroom Soon Will Call Us, The Matthew 25:4,6 [J. Walter/Praetorius] Ach Gott Von Himmel-Reiche; see LW:176; Chorale Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Luke 1:46–55 [Grail (1955)/J. Gelineau] Magnificat; see W-II:40; Gelineau Chant example Christ Is Coming Revelation 22:20 [F. Kahn/J. Beck, McDuff/W. Owen] Preparation Judgment, Bryn Calfaria; see HS:58, HMOC:35, HFG:303 Christ Returneth! Matthew 24:44 [Turner/McGranahan] Christ Returneth; see HFG:304 Christ, Whom Earth and Sea and Sky, The Psalm 19:1–4; Luke 1:26 [V. Fortunatus/Swiss melody] Solothurn; see H-III:156a,b Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Isaiah 61:1–2, Matthew 21:5 [C. Wesley, C. Wesley/ R. Prichard, C. Wesley/J. Thommen] Saint Hilary, Hyfrydol, Cassel; see SBAH:5, BPH:79, HMOC:58 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Matthew 21:5 [Shelley Hamilton (1985)] see P-II:70; Scripture Song Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come Matthew 21:5 [Olearius (1664)] Meinen Jesum Lass Ich Nicht; see LH:55; Chorale Come to Us, Mighty King John 1:14 [Anon./Giardini] Trinity; see WB:343 Comfort, Comfort Ye My People Isaiah 40:1 [Olearius/Bourgeois] Psalm 42; see BPH:77 Coming Again Matthew 24:30; 1 John 3:2 [M. Lister (1987)] see MCB:118; Scripture Chorus Countdown Song John 14:2–3 [Anon.] see NJSS:69 Creator of the Stars of Night Philippians 2:10 [Latin (9th C.)/Plainsong, Mode 4] Conditor Alme Siderum; see LW:17, Ambrosian Dawn of Day, The Revelation 21:1–5; 22:20 [L. Deiss (1982)] see GLP:62; compound meter Emmanuel, Emmanuel Isaiah 7:14 [B. McGee (1987)] see MCB:31; Scripture Chorus Even So, Come Revelation 22:17 [G. Johnson (1987)] see MCB:91; Scripture Chorus Every Valley Isaiah 40 [B. Dufford (1970)] see GLP:66 Hail Him, the King of Glory Matthew 25:31 [de Fluiter] see SDAH:202 Hail to the Lord's Anointed Psalm 72; Isaiah 61:1–2 [J. Montgomery/Gesius] see HCS:36 Hail to the Lord's Anointed Psalm 72; Isaiah 61:1–2 [J. Montgomery/T. Noble] Rockport; see HB:146 Hail to the Lord's Anointed Psalm 72; Isaiah 61:1–2 [J. Montgomery/J. Farmer] Farmer; see HWB:185 Hail to the Lord's Anointed Psalm 72; Isaiah 61:1–2 [J. Montgomery/B. Tours] Tours; see HB:186 Hail to the Lord's Anointed Psalm 72; Isaiah 61:1–2 [J. Montgomery/G. Webb] Webb; see HB:99 Hark! A Thrilling Voice Matthew 25:31 [Latin (16th C.)/W. Monk] Merton; see H-1982:59 Hark! The Glad Sound! The Savior Comes Isaiah 61:1–2; Luke 4:18 [P. Doddridge/T. Haweis; P. Doddridge/Folk Hymn] Chesterfield Communion; see LH:66, MNH:112; Early American Hark! 'Tis the Watchman's Cry 1 Thessalonians 5:6 [Anon./D. Grundy (1965)] College Cross; see AHB:85 He's Still the King of Kings Luke 1:33 [Gaither/Moultrie (1971)] King of Kings; see HFG:242; Southern Gospel Hills of the North, Rejoice Revelation 7:9–10 [C. Oakley/M. Shaw] Little Cornard; see HB:478 His Name Is Life Revelation 5:5; Isaiah 9:8 [C. Licciardello/ W. Gaither] see MCB:2; Scripture Chorus How Long, Dear Savior? John 13:33 [J. Ingalls] Northfield; see FHEA:9; Early American I Long for You Psalm 84:2 [Balhoff, Ducote and Daigle (1981)] see GLP:105; Psalmodic Is It the Crowning Day? 1 John 3:12 [Whitcomb] Glad Day; see HFG:310; Traditional Gospel Song; 2nd Coming Jesus Came, the Heavens Adoring Zechariah 9:9 [G. Thring] Seih, Hier Bin Ich; see LH:56 Jesus Is Coming Again Matthew 25:13 [J. Peterson] Coming Again; see HFG:305; Traditional Gospel Song; 2nd Coming Jesus, Name above All Names Ephesians 1:20–21 [N. Hearn (1987)] see MCB:1; Scripture Chorus Judge Eternal, Throned in Splendor Psalm 89:14–15 [H. Holland/Traditional Welsh] Rhuddlan; see HB:517; Psalmodic King Is Coming, The Jude 1:14 [Gaither/Millhuff (1970)] King Is Coming; see HFG:313; Southern Gospel King of Glory, The Psalm 24:7–10 [W. Jabusch/Israeli Folk/ arr. J. Ferguson (1973)] Promised One; see HUC:75 King Shall Come, The 1 John 3:2 [J. Brownlie/A. Davisson] Consolation; see LBW:33; Early American Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Habakkuk 2:20 [Moultrie/French Carol] Picardy; see HFG:166 Lift Up Your Heads Psalm 24:7 [G. Weissel/J. Freylinghausen] Macht Hoch Die Tur; see H-III:105; Chorale Lift Up Your Heads Psalm 24:7 [G. Weissel/A. Lemke] Milwaukee; see LBW:32 Lo, He Comes with Clouds Ascending Acts 1:11 [C. Wesley/H. Smart/M. Maden/based on J. Cennick] Regent Square Storl; see HFG:306, SBAH:13; 2nd Coming Lo, What a Glorious Light Appears Revelation 21:1–4 [I. Watts/attr. A. Merrill] New Jerusalem; see SDAH:446; Fulfillment Long Ago, Prophets Knew Luke 1:29–30, 38 [F. Green/arr. G. Holst] Theodoric; see HS:68 Maranatha Revelation 22:20 [B. Marlowe (1972)] see NJSS:92; 2nd Coming; Youth Oriented Maranatha— Alleluia II Revelation 22:20 [Br. Robert/J. Berthier (1981)] see TAIZ:78; Cantor with Mixed Voices Maranatha— Come Soon Revelation 22:20 [Anon. (1989)] see WH-II:329; 2nd Coming My Lord, What a Morning Matthew 24:29–30 [Traditional] Stars Fall; see HFG:316; 2nd Coming My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord Luke 1:46–49 [Anon. (1976)] see WH:106; Annunciation; Magnificat My Soul Magnifies the Lord Luke 1:46–49 [Anon.] see GLP:165; Annunciation; Magnificat My Soul Proclaims with Wonder Luke 1:46–55 [C. Daw, Jr. (1986)/J. Moyer (1990] Walnut; see HWB:181; Paraphrase of Magnificat; a Carol O Bride of Christ, Rejoice! Revelation 21:2–4 [J. Wallin/Traditional German] Auf Meinen Lieben Gott; see CFH:104; 2nd Coming O Bride of Christ, Rejoice! Revelation 21:2–4 [V. Peterson/K. Stieler] Wo Soll Ich Fliehen Hin; see LW:20; 2nd Coming O Come, Divine Messiah Romans 8:22–23 [Fr. Pellegrin/French (16th C.)] Venez, Divin Messie; see W-II:194; French Noel O Come, O Come Emmanauel Isaiah 7:14 [A: Latin, Mode I/ B: Setting, J. Minchin (1964)] Veni Immanuel; see HFG:169, WB:490 O Day of God, Draw Nigh Psalm 9:19 [L. Bourgeois/W. Crotch] St. Michael; see WB:491; Psalmodic O How Shall I Receive Thee? John 12:13; James 5:9 [P. Gerhardt/Teschner] St. Theodulph; see SBAH:11; Chorale O Lord, How Shall I Meet You? John 12:13; James 5:9 [P. Gerhardt/J. Crueger] Wie Soll Ich Dick Empfangen?; see LW:19; Chorale; 4th Sunday O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide Matthew 25:31–34 [Von Spee/Traditional German] O Heiland, Reiss Die Himmel Auf; see LW:32; Chorale; 4th Sunday O Zion, Acclaim Your Redeemer Matthew 21:5 [M. Servoss/J. McGranahan] Ga Sion; see CVH:106; Gospel Song Traditional Of the Father's Love Begotten Revelation 1:8 [A. Prudentius/13th C. Mode 5] Divinum Mysterium; see HFG:176; Plainsong On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry Matthew 3:3; Isaiah 40:3 [C. Coffin/Praetorius] Puer Nobis Nascitur; see LH:63; 2nd or 3rd Sunday Once He Came in Blessing Philippians 2:7, 8 [Roh, tr. Winkworth/J. Wolle] Advent; see HMOC:64; General Choice Our Hope an Expectation, O Jesus, Now Appear! 1 Peter 1:3–4 [L. Laurenti/J. Freylinghauser] Rejoice; see HMOC:37; 1st Sunday Peace, My Friends John 14:27–28 [R. Repp (1972)] see NJSS:10; Scripture Chorus Praise We the Lord This Day Luke 1:28–38 [Anon./H. Gauntlett] St. George; see H-1982:267; Annunciation Prepare the Way, O Zion Matthew 21:5 [F. Franzen/Swedish] Messiah; see SBAH:9; 1st Sunday Rejoice All Ye Believers Matthew 25:1–6 [L. Laurenti/Swedish] Vigil; see SBAH:14; 1st Sunday Rejoice, Rejoice Believers Matthew 25:1–6 [L. Laurenti/Welsh] Llangloffan; see H-1982:68; 1st Sunday Tell Out, My Soul Luke 1:46–55 [T. Dudley-Smith/W. Greatorex] Woodlands; see HS-II:56; 4th Sunday There's a Voice in the Wilderness Isaiah 40:3–11 [J. L. Milligan/H. Bancroft] Ascension; see HUC:80; 2nd or 3rd Sunday This Could Be the Dawning of That Day 2 Peter 1:19 [W. and G. Gaither (1971)] Dawning; see HFG:307; 2nd or 3rd Sunday This Is the Threefold Truth 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Acts 1:11 [F.P. Green/A. Foster (1984)] Challenge; see SDAH:203 To a Maid Engaged to Joseph Luke 1:26–33 [G. Grindal/H. Edwards III (1984)] Annunciation; see HS-I:55; 4th Sunday Veiled in Darkness, Judah Lay Isaiah 9:2; Luke 2:8 [D. Rights/R. Leich (1972)] Pittsburgh; see WB:613 Voice of God, The Isaiah 42:3 [L. Connaughton/G. Dyson (1970)] Winton; see HS-II:63; English Cathedral Style Wake, Awake for Night is Flying 1 Thessalonians 5:6; Matthew 25:6,7 [P. Nicholai/P. Nicholai, arr. J. S. Bach] Wachet Auf; see SDAH:210; Chorale; 1st Sunday Watchman, Tell Us of the Night Isaiah 21:11 [J. Bowring/G. Elvey] Windsor; see HB:149; 1st Sunday Watchman, Tell Us of the Night Isaiah 21:11 [J. Bowring/J. Parry] Aberystwth; see HB:216; 1st Sunday We are Watching, We Are Waiting 1 Peter 1:13; 2 Peter 3:13 [Cushing/Root] The Beauteous Day; see AHON: 391; 2nd Sunday What a Day That Will Be Revelation 21:4 [J. Hill] What a Day; see HFG:314; 1st Sunday What If It Were Today? Acts 1:11b [L. Morris] What If It Were Today; see HFG:311; 1st Sunday When Came in Flesh the Incarnate Word Galatians 4:4 [J. Anstice/Scottish Psalter (1615)] Dundee; see AHB:75B; 4th Sunday When He Comes 1 Thessalonians 4:14–17 [T. Dudley-Smith/D. Wilson (1984)] David; see SDAH:220; 1st Sunday When He Shall Come John 14:3 [A. Pearce] Pearce; see HFG: 309; 1st Sunday When the Lord in Glory Comes Matthew 24:30 [T. Dudley/D. Wilson (1984)] Glorious Coming; see HS-I:60; 1st Sunday You Will See Your Lord A-Coming Matthew 24:30 [a.: Anon (1843)/b.: Millenial Harp, arr. Hooper (1984)] a: Old Churchyard, b: early Advent hymn; see AHON:377, SDAH:438