The 20 Best Religious Songs for Advent
Previously, I gave you “12 Secular Christmas Songs that are Actually About Advent.”
But while I have overcome some of my Advent Purist tendencies by lightening up on some secular Christmas/Advent Music, I mostly listen to religious Advent Music.
These songs need no explanation, as they are about the first coming or the second coming of Christ. And I can guarantee they will do more to spiritually prepare you for Christmas than secular songs about shopping.
The first half are traditional Advent hymns, and the second half are contemporary Advent songs.
Enjoy!
First, here are 10 traditional Advent hymns:
1. "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"
Translated from the 9th-century Latin hymn Veni, Veni, Emmanual.
2. "O Come Divine Messiah"
Translated from the 16th-century French Carol.
3. "Maria Walks Amid the Thorn"
Translated from the German Carol.
4. Gabriel’s Message
Translated from the Basque carol.
5. "Like the Dawning"
Traditional Catholic Advent hymn.
6. "Savior of the Nations Come"
Arranged by J.S. Bach. There is a chant version as well.
7. Lo! He Comes, with Clouds Descending
By Charles Wesley
8. "Wake, awake, for Night is Flying"
A 16th-century German hymn.
9. "Rorate Caeli"
A traditional Latin hymn.
10. "Alma Redemptoris Mater"
Traditional Latin text arranged by Palestrina. There is a chant version as well.
Next, here are 10 Contemporary Advent Songs:
11. "You’ll Come" by Brooke Fraser
12. "Glory Be" by Sojourn
13. "The Fall" by Gungor
14. "Love Comes Down" by Matt Maher
15. "Breath of Heaven" by Amy Grant
16. "Holy is His Name" by John Michael Talbot
17. The Cherry Tree Carol sung by Peter, Paul & Mary
While the song dates to the 15th century, I grew up with this version so I am including it in the contemporary list.