Hymn suggestions for Sunday 15 December 2024
Third Sunday of Advent
Hymns marked with an asterisk (*) are suggested for more than one reading
Hush the Noise is the Advent and Christmas worship resource for 2024-25. It’s based around the Christmas carol It came upon the midnight clear (StF 205), and follows the lectionary readings for this season.
The resource includes ideas for seven worship services, from Advent through to Epiphany. Specially chosen song and hymn suggestions are included. The writers say the ideas can be used as part of standalone services, but are even better if you use them all in order. There are also ideas for a carol service and ‘blue’ Christmas service, a service for people who struggle emotionally at this time, that can fit at any date. Download and explore all Hush the Noise resources.
The theme for today is: Babel sounds
Presents get wrapped with tape and glue,
Tidy parcels neatly wrapped,
Names on labels with “love from”,
O hush the noise,
Let’s hear the angels sing.
Other starting points for ideas and links for planning your Advent Christmas services:
Singing the Faith’s One Stop Shop for Advent
Thirty second Christmas
Christingle and other resources
Or go to Advent and Christmas on our Liturgical Seasons page.
On 18 December, the United Nations marks International Migrants Day. This Sunday would be a good day to get to know the John Bell/Graham Moule song The Refugees, reproduced on our site with permission. It deliberately echoes aspects of the Christmas story.
Down the road run refugees,
a child and father and mother;
scared by what they’ve left behind
and what they fear to discover.
Lighting of Advent candles (using verses as appropriate)
Advent candles tell their story (StF 165)
'Christmas is coming!' The Church is glad to sing (StF 166)
Light a candle in a darkened place (StF 174)
Like a candle flame, flickering small in our darkness (StF 176)
The days are surely coming (website only) – especially suitable as we enter Year C of the Lectionary
Hush the noise services (above) include an Advent Candle Liturgy. Alternative liturgies can be found here.
Featured hymn for Advent
We wait in hope for hope to come, by Gareth Hill (website only) - consider singing this hymn each Sunday in Advent, to one of the three suggested tunes or one that your congregation is more familiar with.
Everyone needs compassion (StF 627)
God's spirit is in my heart (StF 404)
Rejoice, the Lord is King! (StF 335)
The God who sings a new world into being shows the way (StF 714)
There's a light upon the mountains (StF 188)
Canticle: Isaiah 12: 2-6
Hymn echoing theme of canticle
Hark the glad sound! The Saviour comes (StF 171)
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! (StF 186) esp v.2
When mountains that we thought secure lie crumbled where we stand (StF 722)
In the Lord I'll be ever thankful (El Senyor és la meva força) (StF 776)
May the mind of Christ my Saviour (StF 504)
Praise to God who clears the way (StF 183)
Put peace into each other's hands (StF 712)
The peace of the earth be with you (StF 774)
He came to earth in poverty (StF 246)
Light out of darkness (website only)
On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry announces that the Lord is nigh (StF 182)
The kingdom of God is justice and joy (StF 255)
Wild and lone the prophet's voice (StF 189)