Come and be a part of our Advent and Christmas celebrations where there is something for everyone.
Advent and Christmas speak of a God who breaks into our world, coming and walking with us as one of us, sharing our hopes, fears, vulnerabilities and joy. This is no distant and remote God, but the Word-Among-Us. For the most up-to-date service dates and times, please check our events calendar.
Advent and Christmas Services 2022
Advent Carols (Sunday 27 November 7:00pm): We gather to hear stories from Scripture and poetry about God's coming among us and sing carols of hope in the darkness.
Messy Christingle (Sunday 4 December 3:00pm): Activities for children and their families: Come and make a Christingle and other Christmas crafts, followed by a short Christingle service and a shared meal.
Nine Lessons and Carols (Sunday 18 Dec, 7:00 pm): A service featuring well-loved carols, beautiful choral music and readings that proclaim the birth of Jesus. Mulled wine and mince-pies to follow.
Children's Crib Service (Saturday 24 Dec, 3:00 pm): Immerse your family in the colour and wonder of the story of the nativity. Dress up as one of your favourite characters in the Christmas story, and come and be part of the story! This service is suitable for families with children of all ages.
Midnight Mass (Saturday 24 Dec, 11:30 pm): In the darkness of night, the Light is born. Experience the drama and beauty of Christmas with choral music, well-known carols, and the blessing of the crib.
Christmas Day Said Mass (Sunday 25 Dec, 8:00am): A Said Mass according to the Book of Common Prayer: A quiet Eucharist at the start of Christmas Day.
Christmas Day Choral Mass (Sunday 25 Dec, 10:00 am): A joyful family Eucharist to celebrate the birth of Jesus. All are welcome!
Advent
Advent is a season of expectation as the Church prepares to celebrate the coming (adventus) of Christ in his incarnation, and also as judge and saviour at the end of time. The readings and liturgies not only direct us to Christ’s birth, they also challenge the modern reluctance to confront the theme of divine judgement. The Four Last Things—death, judgement, heaven and hell—have been traditional themes for Advent meditation. The characteristic note of Advent is therefore expectation, rather than penitence. Advent focusses on the key people who were prepared and chosen by God to make possible the incarnation of his Son. Our eyes are drawn to the Blessed Virgin Mary, John the Baptist, Elizabeth and Zechariah; and our Old Testament readings focus upon the prophets who look towards the coming of the Kingdom of God. Advent, then, is the season of promise and hope. ‘O Rising Sun, you are the Splendour of eternal light and the sun of justice. O come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.’ (from the Great Advent Antiphons).
Christmas
The celebration of Christ’s incarnation at Christmas is one of the two poles of the Christian year. The wonderful mystery of God’s dwelling among us in the fullness of humanity, as Emmanuel, foretold by the prophets and born of Mary, provides the material of the feast:
Hark, hark, the wise eternal word,
like a weak infant cries!
In form of servant is the Lord,
and God in cradle lies. (Thomas Pestel)
Christmas is much more than simply the celebration of Jesus’ birth. The task of the Christmas liturgy is to recall us, amid all the joyful customs and celebrations of Christmas, to this central truth of the Word made flesh for our salvation. O come, let us worship.