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. Many such hymns are old/traditional - but where possible a variety of styles / genres are included. A small selection of hymns that are still be copyright may also included where they are a particularly good for for the theme(s).
Suggestions about other free-to-use hymns that could be included are welcome: leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.
Most communities have a familiar repertoire of public domain Christmas music, so at this time choosing free-to-use hymns is simple. The list below doesn't include all well known Christmas carols, just the ones that are a particularly good fit with the lectionary themes for this feast.
Psalm: 83 - They are happy who dwell in your house O Lord / How lovely is your dwelling place / O Lord of Hosts hear my prayer
Second: I John 3:1-2, 21-24 - We are the children of God, we keep his commandments to believe in Jesus Christ and to love one another
Gospel: Luke 2:41-52 - Jesus is accidentally left behind in the Temple - he recognizes it is his Father's house - and he grows in wisdom
See lectionary art for this Sunday for suggested pictures and art-works based on today's readings.
For the Beauty of the Earth
God is Love, His the Care
In His Temple Now Behold Him
Jesus my Lord my God my All
Love Came Down at Christmas
Seasonal Note
There is an option to use the Year A readings on this feast - see Hymn suggestions for Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in Year A.Most communities have a familiar repertoire of public domain Christmas music, so at this time choosing free-to-use hymns is simple. The list below doesn't include all well known Christmas carols, just the ones that are a particularly good fit with the lectionary themes for this feast.
Readings
First: Samuel 1: 20-22, 24-28 - Hannah conceived a son, and presented him to God in the Temple.Psalm: 83 - They are happy who dwell in your house O Lord / How lovely is your dwelling place / O Lord of Hosts hear my prayer
Second: I John 3:1-2, 21-24 - We are the children of God, we keep his commandments to believe in Jesus Christ and to love one another
Gospel: Luke 2:41-52 - Jesus is accidentally left behind in the Temple - he recognizes it is his Father's house - and he grows in wisdom
Themes
Love - family - Jesus is God incarnate, fulfilling the prophecies of in the Old Testament
Free-use artworks
See lectionary art for this Sunday for suggested pictures and art-works based on today's readings.
Free-use hymns
A New CommandmentFor the Beauty of the Earth
God is Love, His the Care
In His Temple Now Behold Him
Jesus my Lord my God my All
Love Came Down at Christmas
O House of Nazareth the Blest
Of the Father's Love Begotten
Once in Royal David's City
Sing of Mary Pure and Lowly
Unto us a Boy is Born
Virgin Born we Bow Before Thee
What Child is This
Carol at the Manger - Haugen
God's Holy Family - Schiavone
Of the Father's Love Begotten
Once in Royal David's City
Sing of Mary Pure and Lowly
Unto us a Boy is Born
Virgin Born we Bow Before Thee
What Child is This
Hymns that may still be copyright
Blest are Those who Love You - HaugenCarol at the Manger - Haugen
God's Holy Family - Schiavone
Holy Family - Rose
How Happy You Who Fear the Lord - Westendorf
How Happy You Who Fear the Lord - Westendorf
How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place
Love One Another - Habjan
Our God Dwells in His Holy Place - Webber and Tietze
Our Saviour's Infant Cries were Heard - Troeger
Love One Another - Habjan
Our God Dwells in His Holy Place - Webber and Tietze
Our Saviour's Infant Cries were Heard - Troeger
Jesus the refugee?
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy - that's an excellent suggestion for this feast in Year A (http://www.liturgytools.net/2012/12/hymns-holy-family-year-a-catholic.html) when the Gospel if from Matthew and so includes the Flight into Egypt.
Delete(Interestingly, none of the sources I checked when researching this the first time focussed on the Flight into Egypt, and there are very few hymns about it too. But it's a major feature of the readings for the day in Year A.)