I’m really looking forward to our five Christmas carol services that are being held on Sunday 15th December across our three locations in Bristol.

Our theme for this year is ‘Light of the World’. We will be celebrating the wonder that God Himself was born as a baby and brought light and hope into this dark world. As the disciple John wrote at the start of his gospel:

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:9,14).

In the morning, we will have an all-age carol service at Chester Park Junior School in Fishponds, starting at 11am, which will be brilliant for families to gather for carols, readings and Christmas fun.
Then, at Bradley Stoke Community School, there's a 4pm service, complete with City Kids choir, followed by a 6pm service. There is also a 6pm service at the Elmgrove Centre in Cotham, with a later service at 8pm there as well.

As we gather, we will proclaim what the prophet Isaiah foretold about the coming of Jesus:

The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)

As we celebrate Jesus as the light of the world, we also want to shine that light to the people around us. The Christmas carol services are a fantastic opportunity to invite friends and family along. Perhaps you’re already planning to bring a friend to one of our Christmas events, like Christmas Puddings or the Christmas Cracker? One of those events might be a great stepping stone to then invite them along to one of our carol services on Sunday 15th December.

So I look forward to seeing you (friends, family, neighbours and colleagues in tow) at however many gatherings you can make it to this Christmas, to celebrate together, as a community, the coming of Jesus: the light of the world.