Hymns of Advent and Christmas
A Singing Communion of Churches
During this Advent season, LWF member churches are sharing hymns from their congregations to show how the Lutheran communion regions prepare for Christ’s coming into this world.
We want to use this period to reflect on and celebrate the diversity, uniqueness and oneness of God’s gifts to us.
Martin Luther wrote:
I would certainly like to praise music with all my heart as the excellent gift of God which it is and to commend it to everyone. . . it has been instilled and implanted in all creatures, individually and collectively. For nothing is without sound or harmony. Even the air. . .
– Preface to Georg Rhau’s Symphoniae iucundae (Delightful Melodies), 1538.
The churches offering hymns this year include the Lutheran Church in Singapore, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Romania, the Protestant Church in the Netherlands, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi, the Lutheran Church in Guyana, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. LWF World Service in Burundi and Angola will also share hymns.
The first hymn will be shared on 28 November which is the First Sunday of Advent and the last one on 24 December, Christmas Eve.
28 November
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi
"Alimkudza wasoni munthu" ("He is Coming, The Man of Sorrows")
2 December
Protestant Church in the Netherlands
"De nacht loopt ten einde…" ("The night comes to an end…")
3 December
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Romania
"Krisztus Urunknak áldott születésén" ("On the birth of our Lord Christ")
5 December
Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren
"Boha Otce všichni chvalme" ("All praise God the Father")
9 December
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Botswana
"Re tsamaya Lesedingla Modimo" ("Walk in the Light of God")
16 December
Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine
"Il est né le divin enfant" ("A Divine Child is Born")
19 December
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland
"Hátið fer að höndum ein" ("Joyous Tides do now begin")
23 December
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cameroon
"Il y a de la joie avec la naissance du Sauveur" ("There is Joy at the Birth of the Savior")
30 November
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Senegal
"Yeesu rimte Betleheem" ("I was born in Bethlehem")
1st December
Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria
"Der Heiland ist geboren" ("The Savior of the World is Born")
4 December
Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chotanagpur and Assam
"Uth Hey Saihun" ("Oh Jerusalem Raise Up and be Happy")
5 December
LWF World Service – Central America
"Los pastores a Belén" ("The Shepherds to Bethlehem")
9 December
Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovenia
"Cuj spev angelov" ("Hark! The Angels Sing!")
15 December
Slovak Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Serbia
"Posvätný čas" ("The Sacred Time")
16 December
Northeastern Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa
"Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In", "Masithi Amen" and "Joy to the World"
18 December
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
"Palmunlehviin peittyy maa" (“Wave your palm branches, cover His path!”)
21 December
The Nicaraguan Lutheran Church of Faith and Hope
“Toda la Tierra Espera” (“The whole earth awaits”)
24 December
“Le Sauveur est venu au monde” (“The Savior has come into the world”)
1st December
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria in Russia
Soikoon Virsi Riemuinen – Let the joyful song sound forth!
2 December
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark
Dejlig er den himmel blå – Lovely is the midnight sky
5 December
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland – Savior of the nations, come
7 December
Silesian Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession
V tiché kraje – Into a quiet region
8 December
Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chotanagpur and Assam
Sun Dut Sabha Gaati Hai – Hark! The herald Angels sing
14 December
Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church
Advendiküünal: Nüüd küünla me süütame taas – Advent candle: now we light a candle again
16 December
United Evangelical Church in Cuba Lutheran Synod
Tú dejaste tu trono y corona por mí – You left your throne and crown for me
17 December
Protestant Church in the Netherlands
Uit uw hemel zonder grenzen – From your heaven without bound’ries
18 December
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania
Wachungaji Makondeni – Once in royal David's city
21 December
Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil
Tempo de preparação – Time of preparation
23 December
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mozambique
Kunene ndzi swi kumile – Indeed I have found it
24 December
Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland
Bóg w Betlejem znalazł dom – When the Son of God was born
1st December
The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria
Zo mu je Baitalami – Come, let us go to Betlehem
