Resources for Advent and Christmas 2026
There are lots of opportunities within St Mary’s Church, the Church of England, and in the surrounding area. Hopefully here is a one-stop-shop.
You are welcome here!
Everyone is welcome at Church, particularly at Christmas time. If you are thinking of coming along for the first time, or haven’t been for a long time, we would love to see you.
You are welcome to just turn up but if you would like to speak with someone first please do get in touch.
You can also find some answers to common questions of concerns here https://www.churchofengland.org/faith-life/what-we-believe/advent-and-christmas/what-expect-church-christmas#na
Advent & Christmas is a time of waiting and great celebration – click here for an introduction to our beliefs https://www.churchofengland.org/faith-life/what-we-believe/advent-and-christmas
This year’s Church of England theme is ‘The Gift of Christmas’
It focuses on the first and greatest Christmas gift of all: the gift of God being born as one of us in Jesus Christ.
‘For a child has been born for us, a son given to us … and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’
Isaiah 9.6 (NRSVA)
‘How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of his heaven.’
Phillips Brooks, O Little Town of Bethlehem
There are a number of resources, for all ages, to guide our reflections through Advent and the 12 days of Christmas.
Advent – 29th November to 24th December
A day to day guide to the season – From 30 November to 24 December, Imogen Ball, Bishop Philip North and Andrew Zihniwill unpack a different character, place, symbol or idea each day, exploring 24 key terms we are likely to encounter as we prepare to celebrate Christ’s coming among us.
These reflections are available on the Everyday Faith App Everyday Faith | The Church of England or to purchase in hard copy from Church House Publishing Advent from A to Z A day-by-day guide to the season by Imogen Ball, Philip North, Andrew Zihni – Paperback / softback – 9781781405659
Resources are also available for families and teenagers, following the themes of the reflections
Free, downloadable Activity and Colouring Sheets for all 24 days of Advent, mirroring the themes of the reflections for adults Activity and colouring sheets – A Church Near You
Free, downloadable Teen Devotional by Lucy Rycroft, also with 24 daily reflections teen-daily-devotional-booklet-v2_0.pdf
Christmas
Meditations for the 12 days of Christmas – Introduced by the Archbishop of Canterbury and featuring Christians whose daily lives have given them a connection with the Gospel stories about the birth of Jesus -people whose work has required them to keep watch by night; those who have worked to support new parents, to care for new born lambs and observe the stars.
Reflections are available by subscribing to the Church of England daily e-mails, via the everyday faith app Everyday Faith | The Church of England or in booklet for from Church on Christmas Eve.
Further Events at St Mary’s Church
Events in the surrounding area
