It was wonderful to welcome so many to the services and events that celebrated Christmas. Old friends and new faces thronged to everything from Carol-oke and Christingle to our Crib Services, Carols by Candlelight and the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. A particular highlight was seeing Serena transformed into a life-size Christingle in our “build-your-own” Christingle service, as well as the excitement of helping the star at the Crib Service at St Luke’s and the visiting (toy) sheep and (real) sheepdogs at St Bart’s.

As we gave thanks for Jesus Christ – the best present anyone has ever been given – we prayed for hope and peace, remembering that the divided, angry world that Jesus was born into more than 2000 years ago remains just as troubled and painful today. We remembered those for whom Christmas is a very difficult time, both through our prayers and through practical activities such as the reverse advent and supporting Reading Family Aid’s Toys and Teens appeal.

We hope that everyone has felt God’s blessing this Christmas and we look forward with uplifted hearts to another year.