APUMC About Us News A-Z Index

Advent Readings and Songs

The below chronological list of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany readings is for use in family Advent ceremonies. Appropriate carols or hymns accompany the readings below.  If you have suggestions for more Christian songs, please contact us so we can improve this list.

Please note that the below list is related to that aspect of Advent that deals with the arrival of the Savior, not his second coming.  You could create a completely separate group of readings and hymns that deal with Christ's return.

You can use these readings for daily reflection or group them for weekly use. Readings are listed separately to help those who plan daily use during this Holy season.

You may wish to visit a Web site that has Christmas songs, such as 
Laura's MIDI Heaven (listen only) or
the Advent and Christmas parts of CyberHymnal™ (words and music).

Links below open in a new window, show the words, and play the carol.  Some also show printable music scores.

Event Reading Carol or hymn
Isaiah's prophecies Is 7:14 O come, O come Emmanuel
" Is 9:6-7  
" Is 32:1 Come Thou long expected Jesus
" Is 40:3  
" Is 42:6  
" Is 52:7  
Malachi's prophecy Mal 3:1  
Zechariah's prophecy Lk 1:67-75 There shall be a star from Jacob
Jesus' birth is announced Lk 1:26-38 The King is coming

The King shall come
Mary visits Elizabeth Lk 1:39-45 Christmas Hymn (A virgin unspotted)
Mary's Song of Praise Lk 1:46-55 A virgin most pure
Mary's conception Mt 1:18 I love to tell the story
Joseph considers divorce Mt 1:19  
Joseph's dream Mt 1:20-21  
Mary and Joseph are married Mt 1:22-24 Lo, how a rose e're blooming
Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem Lk 2:1-6 O little town of Bethlehem

The Holy city

Silent night
Jesus is born Lk 2:7 O, Holy night

Away in the manger

Once in David's royal city 

O little town of Bethlehem 

Joy to the world 

There's a song in the air
Shepherds and Angels Lk 2:8-14 While shepherds watched their flocks 
It came upon a midnight clear
While by the sheep 
Do you hear what I hear? 
O, come all ye faithful
" Lk 2:15-20 Angels we have heard on high
Behold that star (spiritual)
Go tell it on the mountain
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Jesus is named Lk 2:21 What child is this? 
They call Him Jesus 
The first Noel
Jesus is presented in the temple Lk 2:22-32 Here we come a-carolling
O come all ye faithful
O Holy night

"

 Lk 2:33-35 It came upon a midnight clear
Hark, the herald angels sing
The Wise Men Mt 2:1-6 We three kings of Orient are
What child is this (v. 3)
Good Christian men rejoice

"

 Mt 2:7-12 Angels from the realms of glory
How great our joy
God rest ye merry gentlemen (v.4)
God's great gift 2 Cor 9:15 Hark, the herald angels sing (v.3)
Coventry carol
Love came down at Christmas
Escape to Egypt Mt 2:13-15 As with gladness men of old 
Joyful, joyful we adore thee