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

How to Put Christ Back into Christmas

Every December, we hear the familiar phrase: “Let’s put Christ back into Christmas.” But what does that really mean? 

Beyond the shopping, decorations, and festive films, Christmas began, and remains, a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. 

For many, reconnecting with that deeper meaning can bring a sense of peace, gratitude, and joy that no amount of tinsel can replace.

If you’re longing to make your Christmas season more spiritual, here are some meaningful ways to put Christ back at the heart of your celebrations.

1. Reflect on the True Story of Christmas

Take time to read the Nativity story from the Gospels of Luke and Matthew, either alone, with family or as part of your Christmas Eve traditions. 

You might light candles, play soft carols and reflect on the humble beginnings of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem.

Consider attending one of the classic UK services of carols and readings: for example, the celebrated A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols held at King’s College Chapel, Cambridge on Christmas Eve. 

kings.cam.ac.uk

2. Attend a Carol Service or Midnight Mass

Across the UK, churches and cathedrals host candle-lit carol services and midnight masses that beautifully capture the spirit of the season. For instance, you can find details of the Advent and Christmas services at St Paul’s Cathedral in London. 

And at Westminster Abbey you’ll find streaming options if you cannot attend in person. 

Whether you’re a regular church-goer or someone who only attends at Christmas, these moments of community worship and reflection can be profoundly moving.

3. Give with Purpose

Gift-giving is at the heart of Christmas, but it doesn’t have to be about excess. Try focusing on meaningful gifts that express love and thoughtfulness—hand-made items, charitable donations in someone’s name, or simple tokens of appreciation.

Here are some UK-based charities you can support:

The Salvation Army’s “Christmas Present Appeal” collects donated gifts for children and families in need across the UK. 

The Salvation Army

https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk

Christian Aid’s Christmas appeal helps families fleeing conflict to buy food and lifesaving supplies. 

christianaid.org.uk

Compassion UK emphasises: “Christmas is all about Jesus, the greatest gift of all.” 

compassionuk.org

Crisis runs the “Crisis at Christmas” programme for people experiencing homelessness in the UK. 

https://www.crisis.org.uk

By supporting such initiatives, you’re living out the teaching of Christ about loving our neighbour.

4. Create a Christ-Centred Home Atmosphere

Your home can reflect your faith during the festive season. A Nativity scene on the mantelpiece, an Advent wreath, or a star in the window can all serve as reminders of what Christmas represents.

Some families light Advent candles weekly, each symbolising hope, peace, joy and love. Even your Christmas playlist can uplift the mood, mix favourite carols such as “O Holy Night” and “Silent Night” with modern festive favourites.

5. Share the Message of Love

Putting Christ back in Christmas isn’t only about faith, it’s about living His message. Acts of kindness, forgiveness and compassion are the real gifts we can offer one another. 

Visit an elderly neighbour, check in on a friend who’s struggling, or volunteer your time to help those in need. In doing so, we share the light of Christ in the most practical and powerful way.

6. Pray and Give Thanks

In the busyness of Christmas preparations, it’s easy to forget to pause. A few quiet moments of prayer or gratitude each day can bring calm and clarity. 

Whether you’re giving thanks for family, health or the hope that Christmas represents, these moments of reflection remind us we are part of something far greater than ourselves.

7. Keep the Spirit Alive Beyond December

The message of Christmas, love, peace and goodwill to all, doesn’t end when the decorations come down. Carry that same kindness and awareness into the new year. Putting Christ back in Christmas isn’t just about one day; it’s about living with faith and purpose all year long.

Final Christmas Thoughts

You don’t need to give up your tree, gifts or festive fun to celebrate a ‘Christ-centred’ Christmas. It’s all about balance, cherishing the joy of the season while honouring its sacred meaning. Whether through prayer, community or compassion, every act of love brings Christ closer to the heart of Christmas.

How Christmas and Easter Traditions Overlap

At first glance, Christmas and Easter might seem like entirely separate holidays, one filled with twinkling lights and tinsel, the other marked by spring blooms and chocolate eggs. 

Yet, when we look closer, we find a surprising amount of overlap between the two. 

Both are rooted deeply in Christian tradition, they share symbolic themes, rituals, and even some curious cultural customs that have evolved over the centuries. 

Let’s explore how these two cornerstones of the Christian calendar connect more than we might realise.

1. Celebration of Light and Life

Both Christmas and Easter are centred around the idea of light overcoming darkness and life triumphing over death. Christmas, celebrated in the depths of winter, symbolises the arrival of Jesus — the “light of the world” — during the year’s darkest days. Similarly, Easter celebrates the resurrection, the ultimate victory of life over death.

In many traditions, candles play a significant role in both festivals, whether it’s lighting the Advent wreath at Christmas or the Paschal candle at Easter. These rituals reinforce the shared message of hope and renewal.

2. Preparation Periods: Advent and Lent

In the Christian calendar, both Christmas and Easter are preceded by reflective seasons: Advent before Christmas, and Lent before Easter. These periods serve as spiritual preparation, encouraging believers to reflect, repent, and ready their hearts for the celebration to come.

Advent, though more joyful in tone, shares some similarities with Lent. Both include traditions of fasting (or at least self-denial), prayer, and almsgiving. They’re about creating space — emotionally and spiritually — for transformation.

3. Feasting and Festivities

Both holidays are known for their feasts — after the preparation comes the celebration. Christmas Day and Easter Sunday are marked by special meals, sweets, and family gatherings. Traditional foods, from hot cross buns to Christmas puddings, carry religious and cultural symbolism that adds depth to the celebrations.

Interestingly, both holidays often include a “treat element” — whether it’s Christmas stockings or Easter baskets. These delight children and adults alike, echoing older traditions of gift-giving and symbolising generosity, abundance, and joy.

4. Symbols of Fertility and New Life

The Christmas tree and Easter egg may seem worlds apart, but both are deeply symbolic of life and fertility. Evergreen trees — a central part of many Christmas decorations — represent life that endures through the bleakness of winter. Easter eggs (and bunnies, for that matter) are ancient fertility symbols adopted into Christian tradition to represent the new life of the resurrection.

It’s no coincidence that Easter aligns with spring, when nature itself is being reborn, just as Christmas aligns with the turning point of winter, when the days begin to grow longer once again.

5. Cultural and Secular Crossover

Over time, both holidays have absorbed and transformed pre-Christian customs — from pagan winter solstice festivals influencing Christmas, to springtime fertility rites shaping Easter. This blending has led to many of the secular traditions we now take for granted: Santa Claus, Easter egg hunts, festive decorations, and seasonal songs.

Interestingly, both also serve as key moments in the retail calendar, with shops adorned in seasonal displays and families preparing weeks in advance.

6. The Central Role of Jesus

At their core, both Christmas and Easter revolve around the life of Jesus — his birth at Christmas and his death and resurrection at Easter. They are bookends of the Christian salvation story, reminding believers not just of who Jesus was, but why he matters.

This theological connection is often overlooked in the midst of chocolate and tinsel, yet it’s what binds the two holidays so closely together in Christian belief.

Final Thoughts

Though wrapped in different symbols and celebrated in different seasons, Christmas and Easter are more alike than we often realise. Both tell stories of hope, renewal, and the enduring light that shines through even the darkest times. Whether you’re gathering with family at a twinkling Christmas table or sharing hot cross buns on a spring morning, you’re part of a long tradition that celebrates the same profound truths.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s something worth carrying with us year-round.

Celebrating Christ in Christmas: Finding the Sacred Amidst the Sparkle

Christmas is a season that glimmers with lights, jingles with bells, and buzzes with the excitement of shopping, parties, and endless festive activities. 

While the modern celebration of Christmas often feels like a whirlwind of commercialism, at its heart lies a sacred story: the birth of Jesus Christ, God’s gift to humanity. 

For Christians, finding ways to focus on this profound truth amidst the razzmatazz can transform the season into a deeply meaningful celebration.

Rediscover the Nativity Story

The story of Christ’s birth is the cornerstone of Christmas. Amidst the hustle and bustle, take time to revisit the biblical account of the nativity. Reading Luke 2:1-20 or Matthew 1:18-25 as a family or individually can re-centre the season on its true purpose. Reflecting on the humble circumstances of Jesus’ birth—in a manger, surrounded by shepherds—reminds us that Christmas is about God’s love breaking into the world, not about material abundance.

Create Christ-Centred Traditions

One way to celebrate Christ during Christmas is by establishing traditions that highlight His significance. Here are some ideas:

Advent Practices: Use an Advent calendar or wreath to mark the days leading up to Christmas. Many Christian-themed Advent calendars include Bible verses or prayers, offering daily moments to focus on Jesus.

Nativity Displays: Set up a nativity scene in your home and use it as a teaching tool for children or a visual reminder for yourself.

Birthday Celebration for Jesus: Treat Christmas Day as a birthday party for Jesus, complete with a cake and a moment of gratitude for His gift of salvation.

Be Intentional About Giving

The commercialised side of Christmas often focuses on extravagant gifts, but Christians can reclaim the spirit of giving by mirroring God’s generosity. Consider:

Charitable Giving: Support causes that align with Christian values, such as feeding the hungry, supporting missionaries, or donating to local shelters.

Acts of Kindness: Encourage family members to perform small acts of kindness for neighbours, friends, or strangers.

Gifts with Meaning: Choose gifts that reflect your faith, such as Christian books, music, or handmade items that convey thoughtfulness.

Worship and Fellowship

Amidst the parties and shopping sprees, prioritise time for worship and fellowship. Attend church services, especially on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, to join with others in celebrating Christ’s birth. Many churches host special carol services or nativity plays that can serve as a spiritual highlight of the season.

Simplify to Amplify

The noise of the season can drown out its sacredness. Simplifying your celebrations can help amplify Christ’s message:

Limit Excess: Reduce the focus on extravagant decorations, food, or gifts. Instead, invest time and energy in relationships and spiritual reflection.

Quiet Time: Dedicate moments of stillness to prayer, meditation, or journaling about what Christmas means to you as a follower of Christ.

Share the Good News

Christmas provides a unique opportunity to share your faith. The season’s themes of hope, love, and joy resonate universally. Whether through conversations, Christmas cards with a gospel message, or inviting someone to a church service, sharing the story of Christ’s birth can be a gentle yet powerful way to witness to others.

While the modern Christmas season is often wrapped in commercialism and glitter, Christians can celebrate the birth of Christ by intentionally focusing on His presence. 

By rediscovering the nativity story, creating Christ-centred traditions, giving meaningfully, worshipping, simplifying, and sharing the Good News, we can experience the profound joy and peace that comes from celebrating Emmanuel—God with us. 

This Christmas, let’s unwrap the greatest gift of all and share its light with the world.

Rediscovering the True Meaning of Christmas: A Guide to Reconnect with the Spirit of Christmas

In our modern world, the Christmas season often gets overshadowed by consumerism, materialism, and the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. 

We may find ourselves caught up in the frenzy of Christmas shopping, decorating, and party planning, but in the midst of all this, it's all too easy to forget the real meaning of Christmas. However, it's never too late to reclaim the essence of this cherished season. In this blog post, we'll explore some heartfelt ways to get the real meaning of Christmas back.

Reflect on the Origin

To reconnect with the true meaning of Christmas, it's important to reflect on its origin. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, who is considered by Christians as the Saviour of the world. Take time to read the nativity story from the Bible and contemplate the significance of Jesus' birth. Understanding the spiritual foundation of Christmas can help you regain its true essence.

Practice Gratitude

Christmas is a time for gratitude and giving. Instead of focusing solely on what you want to receive, take a moment to appreciate what you have and consider how you can give back to others. Whether it's through acts of kindness, volunteering, or donating to charity, practicing gratitude can bring you closer to the heart of Christmas.

Spend Quality Time with Loved Ones

Amidst the seasonal chaos, it's easy to lose sight of the importance of spending time with loved ones. Make a conscious effort to connect with family and friends. Share stories, laughter, and make memories that will last a lifetime. These moments of togetherness are at the core of what makes Christmas special.

Embrace the Spirit of Giving

Instead of viewing gift-giving as a chore, approach it as an opportunity to show love and appreciation for those you care about. Thoughtful, meaningful gifts don't have to be expensive; they can be handcrafted or chosen with care to reflect the recipient's interests and needs.

Simplify Your Celebrations

In our consumer-driven society, it's easy to get caught up in the pressure to have the biggest and brightest decorations or the most extravagant parties. Consider simplifying your Christmas celebrations. Focus on what truly matters: the people you're with and the love and joy you share.

Create Meaningful Traditions

Traditions are a wonderful way to connect with the past and create lasting memories. Establish meaningful traditions that resonate with your family and values. Whether it's carolling in the neighbourhood, baking biscuits, or volunteering together, these traditions can help you reconnect with the spirit of Christmas.

Reflect and Meditate

Take some time during the Christmas season to reflect and meditate on the deeper meaning of Christmas. Consider the virtues of love, compassion, and forgiveness that are associated with this holiday. Personal reflection can help you internalise these values and live them more fully throughout the year.

Give Back to the Community

One powerful way to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas is to give back to your community. Consider volunteering at a local shelter, food bank, or charity organisation. Helping those in need can remind you of the importance of selflessness and generosity.

Conclusion

Christmas is a time to celebrate love, compassion, and the birth of Jesus Christ. While it's easy to get lost in the commercial aspects of the holiday, by taking deliberate steps to reflect, give back, and spend quality time with loved ones, you can reconnect with the real meaning of Christmas. Let this holiday season be a time of spiritual growth and a rekindling of the values that make Christmas truly special.