Alright, I get it—you’re no stranger to the importance of passing the love of Jesus to your kids. But sometimes, when you’re overwhelmed with the day-in-and-day-out routines of parenting, it’s easy to overlook how simple, beautiful practices—like singing hymns at home—can deeply nurture your entire family’s connection to God. Your kids AND you!
Singing hymns at home isn’t complicated. If you’re unsure about where to even begin, don’t worry, that’s exactly why I’m here!
I’m going to walk you through:
- The power of singing hymns at home
- What tangible results you’ll see in your family’s spiritual growth
- Why I believe it’s the best tradition you can embrace to create a deeper, more joyful connection to your faith.
Let’s dive in and cultivate that domestic harmony together!
What’s So Special About Singing Hymns at Home?
And a followup question: isn’t it enough to sing them during the Mass?
At its core, singing hymns at home means incorporating sacred songs into your family’s daily rhythm—whether it’s during prayers, meals, or quiet time. It’s a simple yet powerful way to deepen your faith and create a peaceful, Christ-centered home.
Music has an incredible ability to penetrate our souls. (Ever accidentally memorized song lyrics and remembered them 14 years and 3 kids later?)
The Catholic Church declares the importance of music in the liturgy in Sacrosanctum Concilium:
“The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art.”
So if music is elevated above soaring church architecture and gorgeous oil paintings as a treasure in the Mass, shouldn’t we bring that treasure into our homes?
Let’s dive deeper—the practice of singing hymns at home isn’t just about following the liturgical year (though that’s a fabulous perk); it’s about fostering a rich, emotional connection to Our Lord Jesus Christ through music. When you sing hymns as a family, you’re inviting your family into a vulnerable experience of worship and prayer, building both spiritual and emotional bonds.
Can you think of a time somebody you looked up to sang for you?
I’ll never forget sitting around the Advent wreath with a dear Catholic family who are friends of mine. I assumed we would do the regular prayers before dinner. To my surprise, in the darkened dining room, five voices began singing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” around the flickering purple candles.
I distinctly remember how afraid I was of joining in. This is ridiculous, of course, because I was the only trained singer in the room! But those friends singing to prepare their hearts for the coming of Our Lord was different than singing in my school’s choir. It was beautiful. And vulnerable. And I joined my imperfect voice with theirs.
God delights in our praise of Him. The faithful have worshipped him together in song for millennia. I created a lovely Advent Booklet to help families pray around the Advent Wreath just like we did that Advent years ago! 👇
The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
(Exodus 15:2)
Singing hymns at home in addition to each week at Mass isn’t a sentimental act—it’s a way to convey the intimacy of your relationship with Jesus through music.
If you’re just getting started, don’t worry! You’ll master the art of singing hymns at home in no time, even if you’re still figuring out which hymns to sing at home and what on earth an antiphon is.
Do you want to learn more from me? Check out Sing With Grace to start singing with your family today!
Why Should You Care About Singing Hymns at Home?
I’m all about free will, and I can’t force you to care about singing hymns at home, but let me give you a couple compelling reasons tiny incorporating it into your family’s daily routine.
Singing hymns at home is important because:
Reason #1 You Should Sing Hymns at Home
It creates a peaceful, intimacy rich environment for your family—whether it’s adding harmony to prayer time or simply singing a hymn lullaby together at bedtime, it brings you closer to each other and to God.
Reason #2 You Should Sing Hymns at Home
It strengthens your children’s faith and gives them a personal connection to the sacred traditions of the Church—something they’ll carry with them throughout their lives. Singing together at Christmas or around the Advent wreath are the kind of Christian traditions your kids will bring with them to college and, someday, to their future families (or their religious vocation!)
Reason #3 You Should Sing Hymns at Home
It makes worship a shared experience. When families sing together as a choir, it strengthens the unity within the home and the parish community. I know, I know. It’s scary! That’s because singing is vulnerable. When we sing, our bodies are the instrument giving glory to the Lord.
But the beauty of singing together in your home is: it is the space meant to be safe for venturing out of your comfort zone. If you’re a mother who feels like she has a horrible singing voice, you can encourage your kiddos To sing louder to drown you out! (Kidding! But seriously, group singing removes the soloistic nervousness and allows for a team effort of vulnerability and intimacy with Our Lord.)
The truth is, singing hymns at home is one of the easiest ways to intentionally nurture your family’s relationship with Christ, while also building a sense of joy and devotion that will carry through your daily lives. Some of the best hymns will STICK inside your brain for days. Godhead Here in Hiding, anyone? Did I mention “O Come, O Come Emmanuel??”
Painting a Picture of your Hymn-Filled Home
Imagine your family sitting together after dinner, the soft glow of the evening light filtering through your windows and filling the room, and your kids humming along to a hymn you’ve all just listened to together.
Now, you count them off to begin singing aloud–with gusto, because it’s “Onward Christian Soldiers!”
This beautiful moment isn’t just about the music—it’s a chance for your children to experience a connection to the sacred right at home. They’re learning more than verses and melodies—they’re internalizing a sense of reverence, safety, and joy that can only come through placing their trust in Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways for Bringing Hymns into Your Daily Rhythm at Home
Let’s wrap this up, shall we? The key takeaways to remember from this post are:
Start small, make it peaceful, and above all, enjoy the process of singing together as a family. It’s more than music—it’s a way to deepen your connection with God and each other.
At Sing With Grace, I make it my mission to help families grow spiritually through music, and help moms feel confident in teaching their kids sacred hymns.
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Come say hi on Instagram (@grace.elaine.sings) and join the Sing With Grace community! We’re here to support each other in bringing hymns to life at home.
Grace
Howdy, I’m Grace! I'm a Catholic music educator and voice teacher in Fort Worth, TX. Every week I share a podcast teaching Catholic kids sacred music--want to learn more? Try Sing With Grace for free today!