When I was a kid, my mother and I were shopping at a book fair at my Christian school, and I snuck a CD into my mom's shopping bag. She noticed at checkout, but decided to buy it anyway. It was A Christmas Collection, and it became the musical staple for Advent seasons the rest of my childhood. Granted, some tracks are becoming more and more time-bound, but one song that's stuck with me is John Michael Talbot's "Holy Is His Name." It's a setting of the Magnificat text (Luke 1:46-55) that is moving, yet accessible to churches without choirs. It can even be done with just a piano or guitar and vocal. The melody and chords are very straight forward. I've sung this song at churches before, and it's been well-received.
Lyrics below:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord And my spirit exalts in God, my Savior For He has looked with mercy on my lowliness And my name will be forever exalted For the mighty God has done great things for me And His mercy will reach from ages to age And Holy, Holy, Holy is His name
Holy, Holy, Holy is His name And Holy, Holy, Holy is His name