Hymn suggestions for Sunday 8 December 2024
Second 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: To prophets shown
Preparations underway, shifting focus each new day,
Amidst the darkness looking for the light,
For the truth among the mess.
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.
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.
Hills of the North, rejoice (StF 172)
Oh freedom, oh freedom, oh freedom (StF 697)
There is a new heaven; there is a new earth (StF 738)
Your will be done on earth, O Lord (StF 760)
God of grace and God of glory, on your people pour your power (StF 682)
Hark the glad sound! The Saviour comes (StF 171) esp. v.3
Lo, he comes with clouds descending (StF 177)
Purify my heart, let me be as gold (StF 508)
There's a light upon the mountains (StF 188)
Canticle: Benedictus (Luke 1: 68-79)
Hymn echoing theme of canticle
Come, Lord Jesus, come (StF 168)
Come, thou long-expected Jesus (StF 169)
Good news, good news to you we bring (StF 201)
Like a candle flame (StF 176)
The silent stars shine down on us (StF 231)
All praise to our redeeming Lord, who joins us by his grace (StF 608)
Come and let us sweetly join Christ to praise in hymns divine (StF 646)
Into the darkness of this world (StF 173)
Sing we the King who is coming to reign (StF 185) a hymn about the ‘second coming’
Thanks for friends who keep on loving (StF 619)
Thou God of truth and love, we seek thy perfect way (StF 620)
God, who made the stars of heaven (StF 7)
O come, O come Immanuel (StF 180)
On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry announces that the Lord is nigh (StF 182)
Praise to the God who clears the way (StF 183)
Wild and lone the prophet's voice (St 189)