An Anthology Of Songs And Hymns For Christmas And Epiphany

There are more songs and hymns available for Christmas than for any other time in the Christian year. The following are representive selections appropriate for worship. Care should be taken to avoid hymns and songs that do not center on the coming of Christ at Christmas, such as is the case in many secular songs of the season. Article #159 provides a key to the hymnal abbreviations used below.

A Great and Mighty Wonder John 1:14 [St. Germanus/H. Gauntlet] St. Alphege; see SBAH:18 Ah, Dearest Jesus, Holy Child Luke 2:14 [M. Luther] Von Himmel Hoch; see HB:173, Chorale All My Heart Today Rejoices Matthew 2:10 [P. Gerhardt/J. Ebeling] Warum Sollt Ich; see HFG:203, Chorale All Praise to Thee, Eternal Lord Philippians 2:6–7 [M. Luther/T. Tallis] Tallis' Canon; see SBAH:21, one of the great 16th century tunes Angels From the Realms of Glory Matthew 2:2 [J. Montgomery/H. Smart] Regent Square; see HFG:190 Angels We Have Heard on High Luke 2:14 [French Carol] Gloria; see HFG:192 Away in a Manger Luke 2:7,12 [Anon./J. Murray] Mueller; see HB:157 Away in a Manger Luke 2:7,12 [Anon./J. Murray] Away in a Manger, see HFG:185 Away in a Manger Luke 2:7,12 [Anon/W. Kirkpatrick] Cradle Song; see HFG:187 Before the Marvel of This Night 1 John 4:9; Luke 2:14 [J.Vajda/C. Schlak] Marvel; see HS-II:276, includes descant; good choral piece Behold the Babe Luke 2:14, 39–40 [R./ Hamilton (1980)] see P-II:62, contemporary Born in a Manger Luke 2:7 [R. Hamilton (1980)]see P-II:65; contemporary Born in the Night, Mary's Child Luke 2:7 [G. Ainger (1964)] Mary's Child; see WB:312 Born to Die Matthew 20:28 [R. Hamilton (1980)] see P-II:66, contemporary Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light Ephesians 2:14 [J. Rist/J. Schop] Ermuntre Dich; see HFG:207, chorale Child in the Manger Luke 2:12 [M. MacDonald/Gaelic, arr. F. Bock] Bunessan; see HFG:198 Christmas, Awake! Luke 2:10–11 [J. Byrom/Wainwright] Yorkshire; see SBAH:19 Christmas Bell Matthew 2:11, Philippians 2:10, Revelation 1:18 [N. Chavers (1979)] see P-II:68 Christmas Brings Joy to Every Heart Luke 2:13–14 [Ingemann/Weyse] Christmas Brings Joy; see SBAH:46 Christmas Carol, A Luke 2:4, 8 [M. Joncas (1983)] see GLP:3 Cold December Flies Away Isaiah 11:1, 10; Luke 2:11–12 [Catalonian, tr. H. Hawhee/Catalonian Carol (1982)] Lo Desembre Congelat; see LBW:53, tune is a variant of a French Noel Dawning Fair, Morning Wonderful Luke 2:17 [Traditional] Que Preciosas Manaitas; see AHON:440 First Noel, The Luke 2:14 [English] The First Noel; see HFG:179 From East to West Philippians 2:6–7 [Sedullius/Plainsong] A Solis Ortus Cardine; see SBAH:20 From Shepherding of Stars Luke 2:10 [S. Janzow/R. Hillert (1969)] Shepherding; see LW:71 Gentle Mary Laid Her Child Luke 2:7 [J. Cook/Carol] Tempus Adest Floridum; see HB:167 Gloria I Luke 2:14 [Br Robert/J. Berthier (1981)] see TAIZ:7, 3-voices; in Latin Gloria III Luke 2:14 [Br Robert/J. Berthier (1969)] see TAIZ:97, Canon a 2, with bassline Glorious the Day Matthew 2:6, [F. Green/J. Gardner (1969)] Ilfracombe; see HS-I:77 Glory to God in the Highest Luke 2:14 [T. Dudley-Smith/R. Proulx] Russwin; see HS-I:72, contemporary, cathedral style Go, Tell it on the Mountain Luke 2:17 [Traditional American] Go Tell it on the Mountain; see HFG:205 God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen Luke 2:10 [Traditional English] God Rest You Merry; see HB:166 Good Christian Men Rejoice Matthew 2:10 [Latin/German] In Dulci Jubilo; see HFG:177 Happy Christmas Comes Once More Luke 2:14 [N. Grundvig/C. Balle] Emmanuel; see SBAH:28 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Luke 2:13 [C. Wesley/F. Mendelssohn] Mendelssohn; see HFG:184 He Whom Shepherds Once Came Praising Luke 2:8–9; Matthew 2:11 [German, 14th C.] Quem Pastores; see LW:54 Hills are Bare at Bethlehem, The Isaiah 53:2 [R. Scherf/W. Walker] Prospect; see LBW:61 I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve! Luke 2:9, 13–14 [M. Wexelsen/P. Knudsen] Christmas Eve; see SBAH:45 I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Luke 2:14 [H. Longfellow/J.T., 1910] Christmas Bells; see AHON:347 I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Luke 2:14 [H. Longfellow/J. Calkin] Waltham; see CVH:117 I Know Not How that Bethlehem's Babe John 14:11 [H. Farrington/E. Harper] Shirleyn; see MH:112 I Think of That Star Isaiah 9:6 [A. Skoog] Bethlehem's Stjarna; see CVH:115 I Wonder as I Wander Matthew 2:2 [Appalachian Folksong] I Wonder; see HFG:183 In Bethlehem, 'Neath Starlit Skies Luke 2:7 [G. Stutsman] Wait's Carol; see MH:103 In Bethlehem of Judah Luke 2:8 [T. Calvin/Traditional Malawi (1976)] Tamkwimba Kwa Jesu; see HS-I:124, based on a Tumbuka Hymn In the Bleak Mid-Winter Revelation 20:11 [C. Rosetti/G. Holst] Cranham; see MH:104 Infant Holy, Infant Holy Luke 2:7–9, 13 [Polish] W. Zlobie Lezy; see HFG:194 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear Luke 2:14 [L. Sears/R. Willis] Carol; see HFG:197 Jesus, Rose of Sharon Song of Solomon 2:1 [R. Gollner (1989)] see WH-II:397; Scripture Chorus Joy to the World Psalm 98 [I. Watts/G. Handel] Antioch; see HFG:171 Joy Bells Are Ringing Luke 2:32 [N. Frykman/W. Soderberg] Julen Ar Inne; see CVH:114 Joyful News Psalm 98 [I. Watts/arr. N. Cheshire] see SHP:244 Listen to the Christmas Bell Luke 2:11 [R. Hamilton (1980)] see P-II:64, contemporary praise hymn Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming Isaiah 11:1 [German/M. Praetorius] Es Ist Ein Ros'; see HFG:174 Long Ago John 1:14; Mark 4:39; Luke 7:22; [R. Hamilton (1982)] see P-II:55; contemporary praise hymn Long Ago and Far Away Luke 2:13 [E. Horn 3rd/R. Vaughan-Williams] Resonet in Laudibus; see SBAH:44 Lord, Who Left the Highest Heaven Philippians 2:6–7 [T. Dudley-Smith/German, arr. W. Monk] All Saints; see HS-I:45; traditional, cathedral style Love Came Down at Christmas Luke 2:9; Matthew 2:2 [C. Rossetti/Irish] Gartan; see SBAH:37 Mary, Mary Luke 1:31 [Avery and March (1967)] Rosechester; see SC:106; contemporary praise hymn Nino Lindo (Child So Lovely) Matthew 2:11 [Venezuelan Text and Tune] Caracas; see HWB:207; Personified paraphrase of text; Spanish/English Now Is Born the Divine Christ Child Luke 2:15–16 [French Traditional] Il Est Ne; see SDAH:133, numerous settings O Come, All Ye Faithful Luke 2:15 [Latin/J. Wade] Adeste Fideles; see HFG:193 On Christmas Night All Christians Sing Isaiah 9:2; Luke 2:13 [Traditional English] Sussex Carol; see LW:65 O Jesus Sweet Philippians 2:6–7 [attr. Thilo/arr. J. S. Bach] O Jesulein Suss; see SDAH:134, Chorale O Little Town of Bethlehem Micah 5:2 [P. Brooks/L. Redner] St. Louis; see HFG:178 O Sleep Now, Holy Baby Luke 2:35 [Spanish Folk, tr. Robb; Spanish Folktune] A La Ru; see H1982;113 O Thou Joyful, O Thou Wonderful Isaiah 9:2 [J. Falk/Sicilian] Sicilian Mariner's Hymn; see CVH:122 On a Bethlehem Hill Luke 2:8,12 [P. Scholtes/White spiritual, arr. R. Wetzel] see WB:536, Early American On This Day Earth Shall Ring Luke 2:7; Matthew 2:11 [J. Joseph, transl./Piae Cantiones, 1582, arr. 1956] Personent Hodie; see WB:538 Once in Royal David's City Luke 2:5,7 [C. Alexander/H. Gauntlett] Irby; see SBAH:41 Our Day of Joy is Here Again John 1:4–5; Luke 1:52 [A.Skoog] Nu Gladjens Timme; see CVH:123 Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:31 [L. Mink (1982)] see WH-I:19; contemporary praise hymn Puer Natus in Bethlehem Luke 2:11 [Latin, 14th C./Plainsong; Mode 1; harm. by R. Proulx (1975)] see W-II:233; plainsong context Race That Long in Darkness Pines, The Isaiah 9:2 [J. Morrison/Traditional] Covenanters; see HB:153 Redeeming Love Isaiah 53:4 [G. and W. Gaither] Redeeming Love; see HFG:199, Southern Gospel Rejoice, Rejoice This Happy Morn Luke 2:13 [B. Boye/P. Nicholai] Wie Schon Leuchtet; see SBAH:32, Chorale: many important settings Rise Up Shepherd and Follow Luke 2:15–16 [Black Spiritual/arr. A. Blackman (1984)] see SDAH:138 Silent Night, Holy Night Luke 2:16 [J. Mohr/F. Gruber] Stille Nacht; see HFG:195 Some Children See Him Matthew 5:8 [W. Hutson/A. Burt] Some Children; see HFG:181 Songs of Praise the Angels Sang Luke 2:13 [J. Montgomery/Moravian] Monkland; see SBAH:432 Stable Lamp is Lighted, A Matthew 3:9 [R. Wilbur/P. Tollefson (1982)] Tollefson; see H1982:104; contemporary Stable Lamp is Lighted, A John 12:13 [R. Wilbur/D. Hurd (1984)] Andujar; see HS-II:24; spiritual song That Boy Child of Mary Luke 1:31b [T. Colvin/Traditional Malawi/arr. Colvin (1969)] Blantyre; see HS:114, 9/8 meter and imitative voicing There's a Song in the Air! Luke 2:13; Matthew 2:9 [J. Holland/K. Harrington] Christmas Song; see HB:155 This Is Christmas Isaiah 7:14; Philippians 2:6–7; John 3:16 [R. Hamilton (1980)] see P-II:61; contemporary spiritual song Thy Little Ones, Dear Lord, Are We Luke 2:16 [H. Brorson/J. Schultz] Paedia; see SBAH:49 To Abraham the Promise Came Genesis 22:15–18; John 1:14 [American Folk, arr. by J. Powell] Babe of Bethlehem; see WB:608, early American To Thee With Joy I Sing Luke 2:7,14 [Appalachian Carol, arr. D. Johnson (1968)] see WB:610; Early American To Us a Child of Hope is Born Isaiah 9:6–7 [J. Morrison/L. Mason] Zerah; see HWB:189, text-paraphrase, music suggests polonaise 'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime Luke 2:13,16; Matthew 2:11 [St. J. de Brefeuf/French tune] Jesous Ahatonia; see HWB:19, Native American text and imagery Under the Feeble Stable Lamp Matthew 2:1–2; Luke 2:11,14 [A. Keller] Holy Manger; see SBAH:43 What Child Is This? Luke 1:66 [W. Dix/English tune] Greensleeves; see HFG:180, Renaissance context When Christmas Morn is Dawning Luke 2:16 [E. Posse/German tune] Christmas Dawn; see SBAH:35 Where is This Stupendous Stranger? Matthew 11:28–29 [C. Smart/A. Wyton (1977)] Kit Smart; see HS-I:25, Unison, contemporary Lydian mode Where is This Stupendous Stranger? [C. Smart/J. Fyock (1948)] Mcrae; see HWB:200 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night Luke 2:10 [N. Tate/Handel] Christmas; see HFG:175 Wonderful Counselor Isaiah 9:6 [N. Lupo (1989)] see WH-II:417; Scripture chorus Wonderful Counselor Isaiah 9:6 [B. Yarger (1983)] see MMP:129, Scripture chorus