The celebration of Christ’s birth, or incarnation, at Christmas is one of the two main feasts of the Christian year. We celebrate the wonderful mystery of God’s dwelling among us in the fullness of humanity, as Emmanuel, as told by the prophets and born of Mary.
The Christmas season is often celebrated for twelve days, ending with the Epiphany.
This year at St John’s we will have the following special services:
Sunday 10 December – Toy Sunday
We welcome gifts of toys at any of our services today. The toys will be distributed among families where the children may not otherwise receive a gift this Christmas.
Sunday 17 December – Advent 3
10.30am Our annual Mince Pie Sunday – stay and enjoy a festive treat with coffee after the Sung Eucharist
6.00pm: Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
The traditional ‘Carol Service’ with choral music, readings and congregational hymns.
Sunday 24 December – Christmas Eve
8.00am Eucharist
10.30am Holy Eucharist
4.30pm: Christingle Service & Nativity Play
A celebration for the whole family
6.30pm: Service of Carols
A less formal service combining plenty off carols to sing and readings telling the Christmas story
11.15pm: Midnight Mass of the Nativity of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary
A popular celebration of Holy Communion, with music from the choir, to see us into Christmas Day
Monday 25 December – Christmas Day
8.00am: Christmas Day Holy Communion
A simple spoken celebration of holy communion marking the birth of our Lord
9.45am: Christmas Sung Eucharist
A festive Sung Eucharist with choir to celebrate Jesus’ birth
11.15am: Lessons & Carols for Christmas Day
A Christmas celebration in words and music