Sunday 13 December 2026
Third Sunday of Advent
Advent and Christmas Resources
'Don't Be Afraid' is our Advent and Christmas theme for 2026.
Resources include a Worship pack, small group resources, posters and more.
Lighting of Advent candles
Useful hymns (using verses as appropriate).
Advent candles tell their story (StF 165)
‘Christmas is coming!’ The Church is glad to sing (StF 166)
God whose almighty word (StF 106)
Light a candle in a darkened place (StF 174)
Light of the world, you stepped down in darkness (StF 175)
Like a candle flame, flickering small in our darkness (StF 176)
Longing for light, we wait in darkness (“Christ, be our light!”) (StF 706)
Round orange, round orange (StF 184) a Christingle carol
Also see Advent hymns in the hymns section of the resource hub
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
God's spirit is in my heart (StF 404)
Hail to the Lord's anointed (StF 228)
Have you heard the good news? (StF 406)
You give rest to the weary (StF 657)
Psalm 126
There's a light upon the mountains (StF 188)
Worship God with the morning sunrise (StF 68)
or Canticle: Magnificat (Luke 1:46b-55)
My soul rejoices in God my Saviour (StF 60)
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! (StF 186)
We gladly celebrate and praise (StF 120)
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Hills of the north, rejoice (StF 172)
May the mind of Christ my Saviour (StF 504)
O come, O come, Immanuel (StF 180)
Pray, without ceasing, pray (StF 528)
Round orange, round orange, you serve as a sign (StF 184)
The prophets’ voice comes down the years (StF 162)
John 1:6-8, 19-28
Author of faith, eternal Word (StF 457)
Baptise us with your Spirit (StF 369)
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! (StF 330)
Light of the world, you stepped down into darkness (StF 175)
Of the Father’s love begotten (StF 181)
On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry (StF 182)
Praise to the God who clears the way (StF 183)
A prayer for a new dawn of justice
Jesus, light of liberation and source of our deliverance, whose mother’s heart was pierced as you were proclaimed a sign destined to be rejected, come near to us as we pray for the world.
We look to you in our trials and tribulations, trusting that you who have conquered death might bring us life and hope.
Where there is injustice help us to pray for a new dawn. Where the forces of the world seem intent on destruction, help us to stand firm in the conviction that God is good, all the time.
Grant us your Spirit, that even in our suffering we may rejoice that we share in your way of truth and life. Amen.
Richard Andrew, Chair, Darlington District
A prayer that we be drawn to the heart of sacrifice - Alternative Prayer
Draw us by your grace, O Christ, to the heart of all sacrifice, even your holy Cross, to which we cling and by which we are held, now and for ever. Amen.
Dora Greenwell (1821–1882)