Sunday 20 December 2026
Fourth 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
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
A safe stronghold our God is still (StF 623)
All my hope on God is founded (StF 455)
Behold the servant of the Lord! (StF 546)
Have faith in God, my heart (StF 466)
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)
or Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
It was on a starry night (StF 206)
Let all mortal flesh keep silence (StF 591)
O God of Bethel, by whose hand thy people still are fed (StF 475)
While shepherds watched their flocks by night (StF 221)
Romans 16:25-27
Into the darkness of this world (StF 173)
Light we now our candle's flame (website only)
Speak in the stillness, God we pray (StF 511)
Luke 1:26-38
Behold the servant of the Lord! (StF 546)
Come, Lord Jesus, come (StF 168)
God it was who said to Abraham (StF 464)
Long ago, prophets knew Christ would come (StF 178)
Remembering Mary (website only)
Sing we the King who is coming to reign (StF 185)
The Angel Gabriel from heaven came (StF 187)
We gladly celebrate and praise (StF 120)
A prayer that God holds both our tears and smiles
Loving God,
We acknowledge we carry both sorrow and joy in our hearts.
In moments of grief, be our comfort and our strength;
sit with us in silence when words fail,
and remind us that we are not alone.
In moments of joy, teach us gratitude,
that we may recognise your light in laughter,
your hope in new beginnings,
and your grace in every blessing.
Hold our tears and our smiles both,
and help us trust that even sorrow can lead us towards a deeper joy and understanding in you. Amen.
Jona Sewell, Chair, Newcastle upon Tyne District
A prayer for peace and joy - Alternative Prayer
Grant us, O God, the peace of those who love to serve you, the joy of those who are glad to obey you and the delight of those who rejoice in your praise. Amen.
Aidan of Lindisfarne (d.651)