Most are free-to-use (ie public domain or copyright-free) meaning the words can be copied and sung to at least one tune with no concerns about copyright or performance licensing. Many such hymns are old/traditional - but where possible a variety of styles / genres are included. A small selection of hymns which are still copyright, but are a particularly good fit for the day's readings, are also included.
Other suggestions are welcome - please leave a comment below.
Readings
First: Samuel 7: 1-11, 16 - The prophet Nathan is sent to David. to tell him that the Lord will make him great ... your house will always stand secure before me.Psalm: 88 - I will sing forever of your love, O Lord / I have made a covenant with my chosen / He will say to me "you are my Father"
Second: Romans 16:25-27 - Glory to him who is able to give you strength to live according to the .. a mystery kept secret for endless ages but now so clear it must be broadcast to pagans everywhere.
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 - The Annunciation: the angel Gabriel is sent to Mary ... "let what you have said be done to me".
Themes
God's love revealed in his covenant - and the new ark, Mary of Nazareth.Free-use artwork
Free-use hymns
A Safe Stronghold Our God is Still - Carlyle, trans from LutherAll my Hope On God is Founded
An Eye Single to the Glory of the Lord (Beholdthe servant of the Lord) - Wesley
Angels fromthe Realms of Glory
Angels we Have Heard on High - Chadwick
At the Name of Jesus
Come Holy Ghost our Souls Inspire (And lighten with celestial fire) - Cosin
Come Thou (O) Long Expected Jesus
Comfort, Comfort Ye my People - Winkworth, trans from Olearius
Crown Him With Many Crowns
Gabriel's Message / Annunciation Carol - Baring-Gould
Give to Our God Immortal Praise - Watts
Glory be to God the Father - Bonar
Go Tell it on the Mountain
God Will Take Care of You (Nunca Desmayes) - Martin
Give to Our God Immortal Praise - Watts
Glory be to God the Father - Bonar
Go Tell it on the Mountain
God Will Take Care of You (Nunca Desmayes) - Martin
Hail to the Lord's Anointed
Hark the Herald Angels Sing - Wesley / Whitefield / et al
How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds
I'm so Glad Jesus Lifted Me - Unknown
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
In the Bleak Mid-winter - Rossetti
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
Hark the Herald Angels Sing - Wesley / Whitefield / et al
How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds
I'm so Glad Jesus Lifted Me - Unknown
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
In the Bleak Mid-winter - Rossetti
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
Jesus Lord of All Creation - Wesley
Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun - Watts
Jesus! the Name High Over All - Wesley
Joy to the World the Lord is Come - Watts
Let all the World in Every Corner Sing
Let Earth and Heaven Combine - Wesley
Let our Gladness have no End - Unknown
Lo, how a Rose E’er Blooming
Love Divine all Loves Excelling
Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun - Watts
Jesus! the Name High Over All - Wesley
Joy to the World the Lord is Come - Watts
Let all the World in Every Corner Sing
Let Earth and Heaven Combine - Wesley
Let our Gladness have no End - Unknown
Lo, how a Rose E’er Blooming
Love Divine all Loves Excelling
May the Mind of Christ my Saviour - Wilkinson
My Soul is Filled with Joy / Holy is Your Name (Scottish Magnificat - Wild Mountain Thyme) - Unknown
O Come all ye Faithful - Oakeley / Brooke, trans from Wade
O Come O Come Emmanuel
O Jesus so Sweet O Jesus so Mild - Daisley, trans. From Thilo
O Little Town of Bethlehem - Brooks
O Sing a Song of Bethlehem
Of the Father's Heart Begotten - Neale / Baker
Once in Royal David's City
Praise to the Lord the Almighty
Rejoice, Rejoice Believers - Findlater, trans from Laurenti
Saviour of the Nations, Come - Reynolds
Sing to the King (Sing we the King who is coming to reign) - Horne
Sons of the Holy One Bright with His Splendour - Judd
Sweet Is The Solemn Voice That Calls - Lyte
The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended
The People That In Darkness Walked - Morison
The Snow Lay On The Ground - Unknown
The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy - unknown
There's a Light Upon the Mountains
There's a Song In The Air - Holland
To God be the Glory
To the Name of Our Salvation - Neale
Virgin Born we Bow Before Thee
We Love The Place O God - Bullock
Ye Who Claim the Faith of Jesus - Coles
Hymns that may be still copyright
Blessed be the God of Israel - Daw
Canticle of the Turning
Come Lord Jesus Come - Mayhew
Days of Elijah - Mark
For Mary Mother of our Lord - Peacy
God it Was who said to Abraham - Bell
God the Father Sends His Angel - Quinn
Canticle of the Turning
Come Lord Jesus Come - Mayhew
Days of Elijah - Mark
For Mary Mother of our Lord - Peacy
God it Was who said to Abraham - Bell
God the Father Sends His Angel - Quinn
I will Greatly Rejoice in the Lord - cannot determine
Jesus Name Above all Names
Jesus Name Above all Names
Let me tell you About a Baby - Johnson/Johnson
Light we now our Candle Flame - Goreham
Long Ago Prophets Knew (Ring, Ring, Ring) - Pratt Green
Light we now our Candle Flame - Goreham
Long Ago Prophets Knew (Ring, Ring, Ring) - Pratt Green
Mary Sang a Song - Perry
My Soul Gives Glory to ny God - Mueller (1885-1967)
My Soul Proclaims the Greatness of the Lord - Talbot
My Soul Proclaims with Wonder - Daw
My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness - Haugen
My Soul Gives Glory to ny God - Mueller (1885-1967)
My Soul Proclaims the Greatness of the Lord - Talbot
My Soul Proclaims with Wonder - Daw
My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness - Haugen
No Wind at the Window - Bell
People Look East (Carol of the Advent) - Farjeon (1881-1965)
Remembering Mary - Collins
Sing For God’S Glory that Colours the Dawn of Creation - Galloway
Sing we of the Blessed Mother - Quinn
Speak In The Stillness God We Pray - Hill
People Look East (Carol of the Advent) - Farjeon (1881-1965)
Remembering Mary - Collins
Sing For God’S Glory that Colours the Dawn of Creation - Galloway
Sing we of the Blessed Mother - Quinn
Speak In The Stillness God We Pray - Hill
Tell Out my Soul
That Boy-Child of Mary - Colvin
The Voice of God Goes out to all the World - Connaughton / Inwood
To a Maid Engaged to Joseph - Grindal
When the Angel Came to Mary - Perry
That Boy-Child of Mary - Colvin
The Voice of God Goes out to all the World - Connaughton / Inwood
To a Maid Engaged to Joseph - Grindal
When the Angel Came to Mary - Perry
With Mary let my Soul Rejoice - Mowbray (b. 1938)
Word of Justice - Farrell
Word of Justice - Farrell