Friday 25 December 2026
Christmas Day
Advent and Christmas Resources
'Don't Be Afraid' is our Advent and Christmas theme for 2026.
Resources include a Worship pack, small group resources, posters and more.
Lighting of Advent candles
Useful hymns (using verses as appropriate).
Advent candles tell their story (StF 165)
‘Christmas is coming!’ The Church is glad to sing (StF 166)
God whose almighty word (StF 106)
Light a candle in a darkened place (StF 174)
Light of the world, you stepped down in darkness (StF 175)
Like a candle flame, flickering small in our darkness (StF 176)
Longing for light, we wait in darkness (“Christ, be our light!”) (StF 706)
Round orange, round orange (StF 184) a Christingle carol
Also see Advent hymns in the hymns section of the resource hub
Any of the following sets of readings and suggested hymns may be used on the evening of Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day. Set III should be used for one service during this celebration.
Set I
Isaiah 9:2-7
Community of Christ (StF 681)
Hark the glad sound! The Saviour comes (StF 171)
Psalm 96
Hark! the herald-angels sing (StF 202)
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! (StF 330)
When a young unmarried couple (StF 220)
Titus 2:11-14
Let my Saviour sleep (website only)
Love came down at Christmas (StF 210)
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
Angels, from the realms of glory (StF 190) vv 1&2
Born in the night, Mary’s child (StF 193)
Carol of Peace (website only)
Glory be to God on high (StF 199)
Heaven's come so close tonight (website only)
How hard was that journey (website only)
In the bleak midwinter (StF 204)
Let all mortal flesh keep silence (StF 591)
Like a candle flame (StF 176)
Love came down at Christmas (StF 210)
See him lying on a bed of straw (StF 216)
Silent night, holy night (StF 217)
We do not look for angel choirs (website only)
Set II
Isaiah 62:6-12
All hail the power of Jesu's name! (StF 342)
Born in song! (StF 21)
Emmanuel, Emmanuel (StF 198) especially for prayers of intercession
He is Lord, he is Lord (StF 348)
I rejoiced when I heard them say (StF 26)
O sing to the Lord (StF 42)
Psalm 97
Angels, from the realms of glory (StF 190)
Born in the night, Mary’s child (StF 193)
Glory be to God on high (StF 199)
Hark! the herald-angels sing (StF 202)
Rejoice, the Lord is King! (StF 335)
Titus 3:4-7
And can it be that I should gain? (StF 345)
Down the mountain the river flows (StF 377)
O Holy Spirit, Lord of grace (StF 392)
Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed (StF 191)
Carol of Peace (website only)
Christians, awake, salute the happy morn (StF 195)
Come and join the celebration (StF 196) v1
Cradled in a manger meanly (StF 197)
Glory be to God on high (StF 199)
God is born among us: earth receives the Christ child (StF 200)
Good news, good news to you we bring (StF 201)
Hark! the herald-angels sing (StF 202)
Heaven's come so close tonight (website only)
I had a dream that I was standing on a hillside (StF 203)
It came upon the midnight clear (StF 205)
It was on a starry night (StF 206)
O come, all ye faithful (StF 212)
See, amid the winter's snow (StF 215)
We do not look for angel choirs (website only)
While shepherds watched their flocks by night (StF 221)
Who would think that what was needed (StF 222)
Set III
Isaiah 52:7-10
Hail to the Lord's anointed (StF 228)
Hark the glad sound! The Saviour comes (StF 171)
I cannot tell why he, whom angels worship (StF 350)
Lo, He comes with clouds descending (StF 177)
Praise to the God who clears the way (StF 183)
There's a light upon the mountains (StF 188)
Psalm 98
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! (StF 330)
O sing to the Lord (StF 42)
Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12)
Angels, from the realms of glory (StF 190)
Before the world began (StF 101)
Glory be to God on high (StF 199)
Hark! the herald-angels sing (StF 202)
It came upon the midnight clear (StF 205)
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! (StF 330)
Let earth and heaven combine (StF 208)
Long ago, prophets knew Christ would come (StF 178)
Love came down at Christmas (StF 210)
Who would think that what was needed (StF 222)
John 1:1-14
Christians, awake, salute the happy morn (StF 195)
Glory be to God on high (StF 199)
Hark! the herald-angels sing (StF 202)
Let all mortal flesh keep silence (StF 591)
Let earth and heaven combine (StF 208)
Love came down at Christmas (StF 210)
O come, all ye faithful (StF 212)
Once in royal David's city (StF 214)
See, amid the winter's snow (StF 215)
A prayer that God turn sorrow into joy
Loving God,
We come before you with honest hearts, bringing both our sorrow and hope. You know the struggles we carry and the pain we find hard to put into words. Be close to us in moments of sadness and remind us that we are never alone. Bring comfort where there is hurt, and strength where there is weakness. Transform our sorrow into joy, not by ignoring what has been difficult, but by shaping us through your love and grace. Help us to trust your presence and to walk forwards with hope, courage and renewed joy. Amen.
Genesis Padgett, Youth President 2025/2026
A prayer that the Spirit of love transform us - Alternative Prayer
Descend into our hearts, O Spirit of love, and there transform us until we are fire of your fire, love of your love, and Christ himself is formed within us. Amen.
Elizabeth of Schönau (c.1129–1164)