Christmas is coming! You’ve probably been to countless Christmas worship service planning meetings over the last weeks–maybe even months. After all, Christmas is a big deal in the Christian calendar. Right up there with Easter Sunday. Therefore, let me ask you this: What Advent worship songs will you lead your congregation in this holiday season?
Don’t stress! We’ve got 8 songs you can incorporate into your worship services over the 4 weeks of Advent. Whether you need a backup song for your detailed worship setlist that’s been ready for weeks, or if you’ve stumbled onto this page after a frantic internet search for “advent ideas for churches,” these 8 advent worship songs can help!
How Is Advent Different from Christmas?
But how exactly is Advent different from Christmas? Advent is a time of anticipation and reflection, while Christmas is a time of celebration. During Advent, we prepare ourselves for the birth of Jesus Christ and what his life incarnate means for the world.
It is important to note that Advent is its own season within the church calendar, with its own traditions, expectations, and even carols. If you come from a more liturgical background, you may have certain observances that you need to adhere to. Even nonliturgical churches should be aware of the traditions tied to this holy time so that their services can be respectful and relevant to all members and visitors in their congregations.
What Should Worship Leaders Remember When Planning Advent Worship Services?
When planning Advent worship services, worship leaders should keep in mind this differentiation from Christmas. Advent carols and worship songs sung at this time should contain themes of waiting and hope. Christmas carols are (usually) saved until Christmas day.
The worship music you and your team choose during this time should emphasize the longing for Christ’s coming to earth. Draw from the many classic hymns and powerful contemporary praise songs available. Each of the four Sundays of Advent also has its own theme that should be considered when choosing music.
Let’s break down the 4 Sundays of Advent and discuss which songs will work best for your worship services.
First Sunday of Advent: Worship Songs of Hope
The theme of the first Sunday of Advent is hope. Worship songs chosen at this time should contain the advent message of hope. The candle lit on this Sunday is sometimes called the Prophecy candle. Worship songs can reflect this by encouraging us to be patient while waiting for Jesus to return.
Suggested Advent Songs of Hope
Be Still
Be still and trust
What the Lord has said is done
Find rest, don’t strive
Watch as faith and grace align
This is a beautiful, contemporary song to sing at Advent. Written by Hillsong Worship, it calls on us to wait with hope and trust in God’s promises.
Find this song on WorshipHouse Media: Be Still
We Are Waiting
We are waiting, we are trusting
We are longing for Your blessings, Lord
And our faith is firmly anchored
On Your never-changing Word
Faithfully waiting on God’s promises can be challenging, but we can take assurance from the many examples in the Bible of how God remembered his people and was faithful to them.
Find this song on WorshipHouse Media: We Are Waiting
Second Sunday of Advent: Worship Songs of Peace
On the second Sunday of Advent, we turn our attention to peace. When choosing your worship setlist for this Sunday, try to include advent songs about peace and how true peace is found in Jesus Christ.
The second Sunday’s candle is called the Bethlehem candle. This is to help us remember the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and the arrival of true peace.
Suggested Advent Songs of Peace
O Come O Come Emmanuel
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Now you might be asking yourself, “Wait a minute! I thought you said to save Christmas carols for Christmas?” This beautiful hymn is actually an Advent carol that originated sometime during the 8th and 9th centuries as part of monastic worship. It was translated into English by Anglican priest John Mason Neale in 1851.
Well-known and beloved around the world, this classic hymn is a good choice for your Sunday worship service. The song puts to words our longing for God’s arrival to free and restore humanity.
Find this song on WorshipHouse Media: O Come O Come Emmanuel
Peace on Earth
Peace on earth
Peace on earth
Lord, hear our prayer
Your peace on earth
As you lead your congregation in worship with this song, remind them to pray for peace and God’s presence on earth.
Find this song on WorshipHouse Media: Peace on Earth
Third Sunday of Advent: Worship Songs of Joy
Time to mix things up! If your church is using an Advent wreath and candles to mark the Sundays until Christmas, you’ll notice that this Sunday’s candle is a bright and happy pink. This is because the third Sunday of Advent is all about joy. This is a time to offer God our adoration and to celebrate the joy we have in him.
This third pink candle is known as the Shepherd candle, reminding us of the joyful news the shepherds heard the night Jesus was born.
Suggested Advent Songs of Joy
Hymn of Joy (Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee)
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day!
This beloved song is over 100 years old, yet it is still relevant today as it celebrates the true joy the light of God brings.
Find this song on WorshipHouse Media: Hymn of Joy
Adore
You stepped down from heaven, humbly You came
God of all creation, here with us
In a starlit manger Emmanuel
Light of the world, here to save.
Use this more recent, contemporary praise song to lead your congregation into worship and adoration for Christ’s humble arrival.
Find this song on WorshipHouse Media: Adore
Fourth Sunday of Advent: Worship Songs of Love
We’re nearly there! For the fourth Sunday of Advent, we focus on the theme of love, specifically on the message of God’s love. On the last Sunday before Christmas day, churches around the world will light the final candle, known as the Angel candle, and remember the love Jesus brings.
Suggested Advent Songs of Love
Make Room
I will make room for You
To do whatever You want to
To do whatever You want to
Church members can take this last Sunday to open their hearts to welcome God’s presence and the fulfillment of his promises.
Find this song on WorshipHouse Media: Make Room
Angels from the Realms of Glory
Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth
You who sang creation’s story, now proclaim Messiah’s birth
Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King
Lead your congregation in proclaiming Jesus’ birth and worshipping the newborn King.
Find this song on WorshipHouse Media: Angels from the Realms of Glory
Bonus Song: Worship Songs for Christmas Eve
As the Advent season draws to a close, refocus the attention on the peace and holiness of Jesus Christ’s birth with the Christmas carol classic, Silent Night.
Silent Night
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Find this song on WorshipHouse Media: Silent Night
For more Christmas Eve worship service ideas, be sure to read our other article, Uplifting Christmas Eve Worship Songs for a Joyful Celebration.
