Advent music: 10 best carols and hymns to begin the festive season

26 November 2021, 17:46 | Updated: 26 November 2021, 17:51

Classic FM is the home of Christmas music. Picture: Alamy

By Sophia Alexandra Hall

We take a look at some of the best music to begin the festive season.

Advent is a time of celebration in the Christian religion, as believers prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ.

The four weeks that lead up Christmas are marked with beautiful and poignant music in anticipation of the son of God’s birth.

These are among the greatest melodies to listen to, and sing, during the festive season.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel is a Christian hymn for Advent and Christmas. Originally written in Latin (Veni, veni, Emmanuel), its haunting melody goes back as far as 15th-century France.
Read more: What are the lyrics to ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’, and what is the carol about?
Wachet auf! ruft uns die Stimme

Wachet auf is a lutheran hymn, first published in 1599. It appears in multiple German and English hymnals, however, one of its most famous arrangements is the cantata by J.S. Bach.
The cantata was originally written for the 27th Sunday after Trinity; occurring immediately before advent. In modern times, the cantata is usually performed during Advent.
I Was Glad

I Was Glad
I Was Glad, by Sir Hubert Parry ❤️ What an epic piece – performed here by Gabrieli Consort & Players and over 400 performers. Their new album with Paul McCreesh is out today 👉 hyperurl.co/anenglishcoronation
Posted by Classic FM on Friday, May 3, 2019

I Was Glad is a popular Anglican carol, sung at multiple times during the year, and at the Coronation of the British monarch.
Its most famous settings include versions by British composers, Henry Purcell, and Hubert Parry.
Of the Father’s Heart Begotten

Of the Father’s heart begotten is a doctrinal hymn based on a Latin poem, Corde natus.
It is thought to be one of the oldest hymns that many congregations sing.
While mainly associated with Christmas, some musicians conclude that the piece is an appropriate Advent hymn.
Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending

The popular English hymn appeared on John Rutter’s 1993 album Christmas Day in the Morning, and quickly became a Christmas favourite. However, the piece is also a welcome favourite during Advent.
Bethlehem Down

Bethlehem Down is a choral anthem written by Anglo-Welsh composer Peter Warlock in 1927.
It is a favourite among many choirs during Advent, Christmastide, and Epiphany.
Gabriel’s Message

Gabriel’s Message, also known as The Angel Gabriel from Heaven came, is a favourite Christmas carol and is often sung during Advent and Christmastide.
This lilting carol takes inspiration from Luke 1: 26-38, where the angel Gabriel appears to Mary, telling her she will bear a son named Jesus.
For unto us a child is born

'For Unto Us A Child Is Born' from Handel's Messiah
Pure, magical music! 🌟❤️🎶 'For Unto Us A Child Is Born' from Handel's Messiah from Voces8 and the Academy of Ancient Music!
Posted by Classic FM on Saturday, December 22, 2018

Another song about Jesus‘ birth which is sometimes sung at Advent is, For Unto Us a Child is Born from Handel’s Messiah.
Handel confidently announces the birth of Christ with a radiant section of his Messiah that quotes St Luke's gospel, 'For Unto Us A Child Is Born'.
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day – Winchester College Quiristers
It's actually impossible not to sing along with this 💃🕺 – performed by the Quiristers of Winchester College
Posted by Classic FM on Sunday, December 10, 2017

This well known carol describes much of Jesus’s life in the lyrics, so makes the perfect addition to the Advent repertoire.
Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen

Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen by The Gesualdo Six #aChristmasMir...
The beautiful German Advent carol 'Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen' sung by The Gesualdo Six in the magnificent Ely Cathedral
Posted by Classic FM on Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen is a beautiful German Advent carol. Translated literally, the title means ‘A rose has sprung up’.
The rose in the German text is a symbolic reference to the Virgin Mary, and how she is the rose that has sprung up to bring forth a child.