Each of the four Sundays of Advent has its own particular character. In addition, the readings are different in each Sunday of the three-year cycle. But there are a lot of hymns that are appropriate for use at any time during the season of Advent. Many of these have been written with a common refrain but with verses specific to each of the four Sundays. In this way, the assembly become used to the music and are much more likely to sing the song as it becomes increasingly more familiar.
| Title | Composer | Publisher | Comments |
| Advent Communion Antiphons | Russell J Weisman | GIA | Contemporary chant with a traditional feel. Unison or SATB. Clip is of 4th Sunday verse. |
| Advent Gathering – Come, Emmanuel | Gabe Huck arr Alonso | GIA | The assembly sing the first line of ‘O come, O come Emmanuel’ several times while the cantor has verses over the top. The refrain is the usual ‘Rejoice, rejoice’. You may wish to tweak this so that it is what you normally sing. An excellent way to use ‘O come, O come’ before the 18th December when the O Antiphons are traditionally sung. |
| Advent gathering song | Chepponis | GIA | A litany with a simple refrain for the assembly and verses for cantor over the top. Can lead into a penitential rite if so desired. The refrain has SATB harmony and C instrument parts are included. The verses are given for each of the four Sundays of Advent. Listen here. |
| Advent Litany | Bernadette Farrell | OCP | Also Laudate #64 An effective gathering piece that can also be used at other times. |
| Advent Litany and gathering rite | Michael Prendergast and Rick Modlin | OCP | Based on ‘Creator of the stars of night’ this is a gentle song with chant-like verses. |
| Advent/Christmas Communion song | Nick Baty | Concept music online | A simple refrain/verse song for the Communion procession. This is also in the book of communion songs ‘We come to your table’. |
| Awake O sleeper – Advent gathering rite | Francis Patrick O’Brien | GIA | With three verses for each Sunday of the three year cycle this piece will be very useful. Choir part for the refrain appears to be in two parts but you may also wish to have at least some of the choir sing the melody with the assembly. It includes a Penitential Rite but this does not need to be used with the song. |
| Entrance Chant and Gospel Acclamation for Advent | Stephen Van Wye | GIA | Based on ‘O come, O come Emmanuel’ The clip is of the Gospel acclamation. |
| Four Advent Antiphons | Ephrem Feeley | GIA | SATB definitely one for choir rather than congregation. |
| Gathering round | Kevin Keil | OCP | If you have the resources to do the whole thing this would make an excellent Advent gathering song, especially for the 3rd Sunday. But even just using the round without the choir parts would work. |
| Gift of God O Emmanuel | Marty Haugen | GIA | Verses for the four Sundays of each liturgical year as well as general verses based on the O Antiphons. |
| Gospel Acclamation for Advent | Ken Simmons | OCP | A good song to accompany a Gospel Procession with verses for each week. Laudate #68 |
| Longing, trusting | Martin Foster | Decani | This was available in Cantate and as an octavo from Decani Music. It is worth finding if you can as it has verses for all four Sundays. If all else fails, an email to the composer might work. |
| New songs for Advent Year C 2021 | Various | GIA | This book looks like a useful addition to the collection as it contains hymns for the entire season. The tunes are a mixture of newly composed and traditional. Initially for Year C but useful for all three years. |
| Now come in splendid glory | Luke D Rosen Alan Hommerding | GIA | Gathering song with verses for all four Sundays of Advent. Scored for choir, cantor and assembly. Instrument parts available. |
| Ostende nobis | Jacques Berthier | Taizé | CFE #583 Listen to midi files on the Taizé website. |
| Prepare ye the way of the Lord | James E Moore | GIA | A very simple piece that is particularly relevant on Sundays mentioning John the Baptist. The chorus could be repeated as an ostinato to accompany a procession. |
| Psalms 24 and 84 | CJM | CJM | These are the common psalms for Advent and so are suitable at any time. Guitar chords only on free download. |
Music, Liturgy and ME 