LiturgyTools.net: Hymns for the 4th Sunday of Advent, Year A (21 Dec 2025)

A selection hymns and songs, based on themes from the Roman Catholic lectionary for the fourth Sunday of Advent in Year A.

Most are free-to-use (ie public domain or copyright-free) meaning the words can be copied and sung to at least one tune with no concerns about copyright or performance licensing - sometimes in a limited setting. Many of these hymns are old / traditional - but where possible a variety of styles and genres are included. A small selection of hymns that are still copyright, but which are especially appropriate may also be included.

4th Advent, Year C

3rd Advent, Year A

Feast of the Holy Family, A

4th Advent, Year B

Readings

First: Isaiah 7:10-14 - The Lord himself will give you a sign: the maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son who she will call Emmanuel.

Psalm 23 : Let the Lord enter, he is the king of glory / The Lord is the earth and its fullness / Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord / He shall receive blessings from the Lord.

Second: Romans 1:1-7 : News about the Son of God, who was a descendant of David by the human nature he took ... through him we received grace and our mission to preach ...

Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24 - Mary was betrothed to Joseph .. but was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. An angel appeared to Joseph, and told him to take Mary as his wife anyway, and to name the child Jesus. ... All this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son .."

Themes

The story of Jesus birth, Mary's child, Emmanuel - who belongs to all nations not just the house of David.

Art for this week

See lectionary art for this Sunday for suggested pictures and art-works based on today's readings.

Free use hymns

Alma Redemptoris Mater - Hermannus Contractus (1013–1054)
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Come, Thou Redeemer of the Earth
Creator of the Stars of Night

Gabriel's Message / Annunciation Carol - Baring-Gould
Hark! A Herald Voice Is Calling
Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise
Lift up your Heads Ye Mighty Gates
Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming

Magnificat - My Soul is Filled with Joy
Magnificat - My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord
O Come Divine Messiah
O Come O Come Emmanuel
O Come Thou Long-expected Jesus
Praise we the Lord this Day
Saviour of the Nations, Come

The Coming of our God
The Highway (The desert shall bloom as a rose) - Robert Emmett Winsett (1876-1952)
The King Shall Come when Morning Dawns
The God Whom Earth and Sea and Sky - John Mason Neale (1818-1866)
The People that in Darkness Walked - Morison
The Race that Long in Darkness Pined - Morrison
Thou Art Star of the Morning

Ye Who Claim the Faith of Jesus - Vincent Stuckey Stratton Coles (1845-1929)

Hymns which may still be copyright

An Angel Came from Heaven - Christopher Walker and Paule Freeburg, DC
Awake, Awake and Greet the New Morn - Marty Haugen
Bring Us Hope (An Anthem for Advent) - Ruth Elaine Schram
Canticle of the Turning
Christ, Circle Round Us - Daniel L Schutte

Emmanuel (Come, come Emmanuel) - Steve Angrisano (b. 1965)
Even So Come (All of creation / Come Lord Jesus) - Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, Jess Cates
For Mary Mother of our Lord - Peacy
Holy Virgin by God's Decree - W R Lawrence
Hope is Dawning - Johnny Parks, Matt Maher, Michael Gungor and Aaron Keyes
Jesus Messiah (He became sin, who knew no sin) - Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves