Mass hymns for the 4th Sunday of Advent express joyful hope and anticipation for Christ’s coming, celebrating God’s promise fulfilled in Mary.

The 4th Sunday of Advent stands at the threshold of one of the greatest mysteries of faith — the Incarnation of the Son of God. It is a Sunday filled with joyful expectation and reverent preparation, when the Church’s liturgy turns its gaze toward Bethlehem and the coming of Emmanuel — “God with us.”

In the rhythm of the Advent season, the first two Sundays emphasize watchfulness and repentance, the third (Gaudete Sunday) celebrates rejoicing in God’s nearness, and the fourth focuses on imminent fulfillment — the divine promise about to be realized through the Virgin Mary. It is a Sunday of quiet awe and sacred anticipation, when hearts are invited to make room for Christ who is about to be born anew in the world.

Music plays a central role in expressing this Advent spirituality. The hymns chosen for the 4th Sunday of Advent capture themes of waiting, faith, humility, and hope fulfilled. They unite the faithful in prayerful longing and joyful readiness for the birth of the Savior.

This article explores the liturgical meaning of the 4th Sunday of Advent and offers a comprehensive reflection on Mass hymns suitable for this celebration — examining their scriptural resonance, theological depth, and musical beauty.

1. The Liturgical Context of the 4th Sunday of Advent

The 4th Sunday of Advent marks the final movement in the Advent journey — the transition from expectation to fulfillment. The Advent wreath, now fully illuminated with four candles, symbolizes that the long night of waiting is nearly over. The readings, prayers, and music all point toward the mystery of the Incarnation.

In Lectionary Year A, the Gospel recounts the angel’s message to Joseph (Matthew 1:18–24), affirming Jesus’ divine origin and the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy: “The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel.”

In Year B, we hear the Annunciation to Mary (Luke 1:26–38), highlighting her humble “yes” to God’s plan.

In Year C, the Gospel tells of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth (Luke 1:39–45), culminating in the proclamation of “Blessed are you among women.”

Each of these Gospels centers on a divine encounter that transforms history — God’s entry into human life. Thus, the hymns of this Sunday should mirror that profound mystery, expressing both Mary’s faith-filled response and the Church’s collective readiness to receive Christ.

2. Themes Reflected in the Hymns

The hymns for the 4th Sunday of Advent can be grouped around key theological and emotional themes that flow through the readings:

Expectation and Fulfillment – The promises of the prophets are about to be realized.

Mary’s Fiat (Yes) – The humble obedience of Mary becomes the model of perfect faith.

Incarnation and Emmanuel – God comes to dwell among His people.

Peace and Joy – The coming of Christ brings light to a darkened world.

Preparation and Hope – The faithful prepare their hearts as a dwelling place for the Lord.

Each hymn, whether ancient or contemporary, should invi

1. ENTRANCE Light of the world , You stepped down into darkness Opened my eyes, let me see Beauty that made this heart adore You Hope of my life spent with You

2. H ere I am to worship Here I am to bow down Here I am to say that You're my God You're altogether lovely Altogether worthy Altogether wonderful to me

3. King of all days Oh, so highly exalted Glorious in heaven above Humbly You came to the earth You created All for love's sake became poor

4. And here I am to worship Here I am to bow down Here I am to say that You're my God You're altogether lovely Altogether worthy Altogether wonderful to me

5. PENITENTIAL Lord have mercy (2) Christ have mercy(2) Lord have mercy (2)

6. RESPONSE O God , bring us back; let your face shine on us, and we shall be saved.

7. ACCLAMATION A lleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia(2 )

8. APOSTLES CREED I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again from the dead;

9. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic C hurch , the communion of Saints , the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

10. Prayer of the faithful Lord, make us joyful.

11. Offertory Reap Me The Earth As A Harvest To God, Gather And Bring It Again, All That Is His, To The Maker Of All; Lift It And Offer It High.

12. Bring Bread, Bring Wine, Give Glory To The Lord; Whose Is The Earth But God’s, Whose Is The Praise But His?

13. Go With Your Song And Your Music, With Joy, Go To The Altar Of God; Carry Your Offerings, Fruits Of The Earth, Work Of Your Labouring Hands

14. Bring Bread, Bring Wine, Give Glory To The Lord; Whose Is The Earth But God’s, Whose Is The Praise But His?

15. Gladness And Pity And Passion And Pain, All That Is Mortal In Man, Lay All Before Him, Return Him His Gift, God, To Whom All Shall Go Home.

16. Bring Bread, Bring Wine, Give Glory To The Lord; Whose Is The Earth But God’s, Whose Is The Praise But His?

17. HOSANNA Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of power and God of might Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

18. Blessed, blessed he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna, hosanna in the highest.(2)

19. Proclamation Save us, save us, savior of the world for by your cross and resurrection you have set us free.

20. COMMUNION A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,   A wonderful Savior to me; He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,   Where rivers of pleasure I see.

21. He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock That shadows a dry, thirsty land; He hideth my life in the depths of His love,   And covers me there with His hand ,  And covers me there with His hand.

22. A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,   He taketh my burden away; He holdeth me up and I shall not be moved,   He giveth me strength as my day.

23. He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock That shadows a dry, thirsty land; He hideth my life in the depths of His love,   And covers me there with His hand ,  And covers me there with His hand.

24. With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,   And, filled with His fulness divine, I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God,   For such a Redeemer as mine!

25. He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock That shadows a dry, thirsty land; He hideth my life in the depths of His love,   And covers me there with His hand ,  And covers me there with His hand.

26. When clothed in His brightness, transported I rise   To meet Him in clouds of the sky, His perfect salvation, His wonderful love,   I’ll shout with the millions on high.

27. He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock That shadows a dry, thirsty land; He hideth my life in the depths of His love,   And covers me there with His hand ,  And covers me there with His hand.

28. COMMUNION Soul of my Saviour, sanctify my heart , Body of Christ, be Thou my saving guest, Blood of my Saviour, bathe me in Thy tide, Wash me with water flowing from Thy side .

29. Strength and protection may Thy Passion be, O blessed Jesus, hear and answer me; Deep in Thy wounds, Lord , hide and shelter me, So shall I never, never part from Thee.

30. Guard and defend me from the foe malign, In death's dread moments make me only Thine ; Call me and bid me come to Thee on high, Where I may praise Thee with Thy saints for aye.

31. RECESSIONAL Wake Up, O People, The Lord Is Very Near! Wake Up And Stand For The Lord. Wake Up, O People, The Lord Is Very Near! Wake Up And Stand For The Lord .

32. Your saving lord is near , Wake up! His glory will appear, Wake up! Your hour of grace is nearer than it ever was.

33. RECESSIONAL Wake Up, O People, The Lord Is Very Near! Wake Up And Stand For The Lord. Wake Up, O People, The Lord Is Very Near! Wake Up And Stand For The Lord .

34. To Live In Love And Peace. Wake Up! To Let All Quarrels Cease. Wake Up! To Live That All You Do May Stand The Light Of Day.

35. RECESSIONAL Wake Up, O People, The Lord Is Very Near! Wake Up And Stand For The Lord. Wake Up, O People, The Lord Is Very Near! Wake Up And Stand For The Lord .

36. The Jubilee Prayer Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of  charity  enkindled in our hearts, by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed  hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

37. May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when , with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.

38. May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us,  Pilgrims of Hope , a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth. To you our God , eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever. Amen