LiturgyTools.net: Hymns for the 3rd Sunday of Advent / Gaudete Sunday, Year A (14 Dec 2025)

Hymns and songs, based on themes from the Roman Catholic lectionary for the third Sunday of Advent in Year A.

Most are free-to-use (ie public domain or copyright-free), meaning that 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 copyright hymns may also be included, if they are particularly relevant.

Readings

First: Isaiah 35: 1-6, 10 - Let the wilderness .. bring forth flowers .... look, your God is coming to save you ... those the Lord has ransomed shall return, they shall come to Zion shouting for joy.

Psalm 145 : Come Lord and save us / It is the Lord who keeps faith forever / It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind / It is the Lord who loves the just.

Second: James 5:7-10 - Be patient, do not lose heart because the Lord's coming will be soon.

Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11 - John sends the disciples to ask Jesus "Are you the one who is to come?" Jesus answers by pointing to his works, and tells the people about John's greatness - and that the least in heaven is still greater than him.

Themes

Rejoice / joy: expectation, the blind will see. Awaiting the coming of someone greater than John the Baptist.

Art for this week

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

Free-use hymns

All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name
Blessedness of Gospel Times (How beauteous are their feet) - Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Come Lord and Tarry Not - Bonar
Come Thou (O) Long Expected Jesus
Comfort, Comfort Ye my People - Winkworth
Creator Alme Siderum
Creator of the Stars of Night - Caswall

God is Working His Purpose Out / As the Waters Cover the Sea - Arthur Campbell Ainger (1841-1919)
Hark! A Herald Voice Is Calling
Hark the Glad Sound
Hills of the North Rejoice
How Brightly Beams the Morning Star - Winkworth
How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place - Unknown - from the Scottish Psalter (1650)

Rejoice in the Lord Always
Rejoice Rejoice Believers
The Great Forerunner of the Morn
The King Shall Come when Morning Dawns
The Race that Long in Darkness Pined
Watchman Tell Us of the Night - Bowring

Hymns which may still be copyright

A Voice Cries Out in the Wilderness (Console my people) - Jan Michael Joncas (b. 1951)
A Voice in the Wilderness - Robinson
Advent Litany / Litany of the Word (Word of Justice) - Bernadette Farrell
Awake Awake and Greet the New Morn - Marty Haugen
Awake, Awake, Fling off the Night - Peacey

Behold, Behold I Make all Things New - John L Bell (b. 1949)
Benedictus / The Song of Zechariah (Bless the Lord, the God of Israel) - Anne Harrison (b. 1954)
Bread of Life Hope of the World - Farrell - Bernadette Farrell
Bring Us Hope (An Anthem for Advent) - Ruth Elaine Schram
Come to the Waters (As earth that is dry and parched in the sun) - Anne Conway (b 1940)
He Walks Among the Golden Lamps - Timothy Dudley-Smith (1926-2024)
Hold Me in Life - Huijbers and Oosterhuis

Lift up your Heads to the Coming King - Steven Fry (b 1954) Like a Shepherd - Dufford
Lord Emmanuel Come (Bright and clear as a trumpet blast) - Peter McGrail (b. 1959)
O Comfort my People - Waddell
O Saviour Rend the Heavens Wide - Seltz (1907-1967)
On that Holy Mountain - Mattingly
Patience People - John Foley (b. 1939)
People Look East (Carol of the Advent) - Farjeon (1881-1965)

Ready the Way of the Lord
Rejoice Forever - Martin Barry
Return to God - Marty Haugen (b. 1950)
Song of Consolation (Prepare a way for the coming of God) - Peter Jones
Stay Awake be Ready (Alleluia, the Lord is coming soon) - Christopher Walker (b 1947)
Take Comfort my People - Steve C Warner