Church of England launches ‘Joy of Christmas’ campaign to share hope and celebration

The Church’s biggest-ever Christmas campaign will feature a newly illustrated children’s storybook, daily reflections, online services, and a huge range of free resources for families, schools and churches, and is expected to reach millions.

The Church of England has launched its biggest-ever Christmas campaign to date. Called The Joy of Christmas, it's inviting people everywhere to rediscover the hope and joy at the heart of the season. 

Running throughout Advent and Christmas, the campaign offers a wide range of free resources for families, schools and churches, helping people pause, reflect and celebrate wherever they are.

(c) Church House Publishing

For the first time in its history, the Church of England has produced a fully illustrated children’s picture book as part of its Advent and Christmas campaign. 

The Grumpy Owl and the Joy of Christmas, written by Jonathan Maltz and Christopher Poch and brought to life with stunning new artwork by award-winning illustrator Jago, offers a heart-warming retelling of the nativity story through the eyes of a rather grumpy owl who learns the true meaning of joy. 

This beautifully illustrated edition invites children and families to rediscover the wonder of the first Christmas in a way that is engaging, accessible and fun. It marks a milestone for the Church, as its first dedicated children’s picture book produced specifically for the Advent and Christmas season.

The campaign also includes new reflections such as Twelve Joys of Christmas, written by Nicholas Papadopulos, Dean of Salisbury, exploring the meaning of joy in everyday traditions, and O Come Emmanuel, a series of Advent meditations based on the ancient ‘O Antiphons’ accompanied by newly commissioned artwork and music. 

St Mary's, Nottingham

There are resources for every age group: children can enjoy free cartoons, songs and Bible stories, while families have access to activity sheets and colouring pages to use at home. 

Young people can download daily reflections or join in with youth group sessions designed to explore the meaning of Advent together. 

Adults can sign up for bite-sized daily emails, reflections on the Everyday Faith app, and an audio series from writer and theologian Paula Gooder, Women of Advent and Christmas. Schools will have access to four weeks of collective worship resources packed with prayers, videos and creative activities to help pupils discover the joy of Christmas.

Churches across England will once again be opening their doors to welcome people this Christmas. Last year, millions attended Christmas services, and similar numbers are expected again in 2025. 

The Church’s church-finder website, AChurchNearYou.com, lists thousands of local services and events, from traditional carol services and Christingles to gatherings with mince pies, mulled wine or family-friendly activities. 

For those who can’t make it to a church building, whether because of health, work or other commitments, there will be plenty of ways to join in online. Services streamed by local churches will be available throughout Advent and Christmas, and the Church of England’s National Online Services, which attracted over 21 million visits in 2024, will return with a special addition: a short, uplifting Christmas Day service designed for those at work, led by key workers including a firefighter, a nurse and a police officer, with carols from a Police Choir.

Commenting on the launch of the resources, The Bishop of Stockport, Sam Corley, told That's Christmas 365: “There’s a lot of talk – and quite a bit of singing – about joy at Christmas. But what does that mean when life feels overwhelming?

“If you feel like joining the grumpy owl in our story and shutting yourself away, then the message of Christmas is for you.

“It's a reminder that Joy isn't a command to obey or another task to tick off; nor is it hidden in perfection or possessions. It is a gift, freely given by the God who never hides or closes the door to us.

“At the heart of Christmas is the good news that God comes into the world, opening doors and giving us confidence to walk with him into the future he makes possible."

You can access the resources free of charge here https://www.churchofengland.org/faith-life/what-we-believe/advent-and-christmas/advent-and-christmas-theme-joy-christmas