Advent hymns do more than create a seasonal atmosphere—they invite people to enter the Gospel story through music. As your congregation shifts into holiday mode, your services become a soundtrack that shapes their spiritual rhythm. This presents a powerful opportunity to reinforce your Advent sermon series by choosing traditional Advent hymns that directly reflect Scripture.
In this guide, you’ll find:
- Matching hymns with Scripture to support your teaching
- Historical and biblical background for each hymn
- Fresh ideas to deepen spiritual impact through music
- Internal links to help you strengthen sermon planning and service coordination
Let’s explore 8 beloved Advent hymns and songs that connect directly to the Bible—and how you can use them to enrich both worship and the Word.
Away In A Manger
While Away In A Manger is an incredible theologically rich song pulling in several different references from scripture, the main idea comes from the biblical passage of Luke 2:7 (NLT).
She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
Though sung primarily as a lullaby, Away in a Manger carries deep theological weight when connected with the Advent theme of humility and incarnation. This traditional Advent hymn becomes even more powerful when introduced in a sermon that reflects on Jesus’ unexpected arrival and the significance of the manger.
The First Noel
Scripture: Luke 2:8–15
The First Noel is about the shepherds that were keeping watch, saw the star, and went to visit the baby Jesus. The song has a few different scripture references, but the main idea behind the song comes from Luke 2:8-15.
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Like many Christmas songs, there are stanzas that don’t typically make it into the arrangements we sing in our services. The First Noel is one of those songs. This entire song features Advent-centric messaging and provides you an amazing opportunity to bring clarity to a song that is memorized by many, but truly known by only a few.
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Scripture: Micah 5:2
O Little Town of Bethlehem is one of those songs that brings to mind children’s musicals and Christmas plays. When it comes to a scriptural reference, it’s ironic that it doesn’t come from the New Testament. Instead, the main scriptural reference for O Little Town of Bethlehem is an Old Testament prophecy in Micah 5:2.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
This hymn roots the Christmas story in Old Testament prophecy—an angle not often explored. Use it to emphasize the longing and waiting of Advent, and how God’s promises are fulfilled through Christ.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Scripture: Luke 2:14
Hark the Herald Angels Sing has been sung by people of all ages since 1739.
It’s an upbeat Christmas Hymn that talks about the praise the angels gave to the newborn Christ. The scripture reference for the title would be Luke 2:14.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Written in 1739, this classic Baptist Christmas hymn overflows with joyful theology. It’s a declaration of peace, purpose, and praise—perfect for Advent sermons centered on the Kingdom arriving on earth.
The Manger Throne
Scripture: Luke 2:11–12
The Manger Throne isn’t one of the more well known Christmas hymns, but it’s one that offers an amazing picture of the birth of Christ. The main idea of the hymn is that the manger that Jesus was lying in was ultimately holding a king. Luke 2:11-12 is the basis for this idea.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Introducing a new hymn right before you speak gives you an immediate platform for your message and allows you to connect the celebration of Advent with the theology behind advent.
I Saw Three Ships
Scripture: Matthew 2:1–2
This Christmas hymn was published in 1833, and many believe the “ships” represent the camels the wise men rode as they were called “ships of the desert.” While not widely known, this hymn is often sung around Christmas time. Matthew 2:1-2 could be the best biblical passage for I Saw Three Ships.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
You could very easily introduce this hymn as one of your Christmas time songs or simply lean on its origins as a sermon illustration you use during your Advent sermon series.
Go Tell It On the Mountain
Scripture: Matthew 28:18–20
Go Tell It On the Mountain is a Christmas hymn that is sung year round in churches everywhere. It speaks of Jesus bringing Good News that we should share. It’s full of scriptural nuggets and perhaps the best one is the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Just as with Away In A Manager, using Go Tell It On the Mountain as a song to directly connect to Advent can lend immediate relevance to those who are learning the Advent tradition for the first time and provide a new level of meaning to a song that many have memorized.
Not all Advent hymns and songs are mellow—this one encourages bold proclamation. It’s a great match for sermons on evangelism, especially as you encourage your congregation to share the story of Christ’s birth.
O Come All Ye Faithful
Scripture: Luke 2:15
O Come All Ye Faithful is a family favorite around Christmas time. It’s been sung since it was written in 1743 by John F. Wade.
It’s chock full of scripture as well, but the most common biblical reference would be Luke 2:15.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”
This family favorite calls the faithful to worship the newborn King. With rich Scripture references, it’s ideal for final Sundays of Advent and Christmas Eve services. Link it directly to sermons that call the church to reflect and respond.
Tying Advent Hymns and Christmas Carols Back to Your Sermon Series
When you match traditional Advent songs with the themes and texts of your Advent sermon series, the impact multiplies. Lyrics become teaching tools. Scripture becomes singable. The service gains cohesion.
Use this strategy in tandem with:
- The Sermon Outline
- Sermon Introduction ideas
- Sermon Conclusions
- Series planning strategies
- Church announcements to help your church stay engaged
Full Advent sermon series guide for deeper planning
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