Advent 2022: Hymn from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithuania
A Singing Communion of Churches
Hymn: Once in Royal David's City
Hymn: "Once in Royal David's City"
Writer/Composer:
Cecil Frances Alexander, 1848
Vilma Sabutienė, 2017
Henry John Gauntlett, 1849
Choir: “Adoremus”
Director: Renata Kreimere
Hymns of Advent and Christmas:
A Singing Communion of Churches
During this Advent season, Lutheran World Federation member churches are sharing hymns (website, YouTube) from their congregations to show how the Lutheran communion regions prepare for Christ’s coming into this world.
We want to use this period to reflect on and celebrate the diversity, uniqueness and oneness of God’s gifts to us. Martin Luther wrote:
"I would certainly like to praise music with all my heart as the excellent gift of God which it is and to commend it to everyone. It has been instilled and implanted in all creatures, individually and collectively. For nothing is without sound or harmony."
— Preface to Georg Rhau’s Symphoniae iucundae (Delightful Melodies), 1538
This Christmas, we look back on the five years of Advent hymns with LWF member churches and country programs. Since 2018, the Advent hymns were well received worldwide and have been a way of nurturing connection and showing solidarity through faith and hope. For some, the hymns have become a way to mark each day in Advent with family and congregations. The hymns allow us to share in the many joyful expressions of worship.