We look forward to welcoming you at St. Luke’s and St. John’s over Advent & Christmas. As ever, we have a full schedule of services and talks to help you discover the love of Christ born in a stable in Bethlehem. It all starts with Advent.
Advent Services
Advent is the special four-week season that begins our Church year. It starts on the Sunday 30th November and leads us gently to Christmas Eve.
This is a time to slow down, open our hearts, and get ready for Jesus in three beautiful ways:
✨ remembering His birth in Bethlehem,
✨ looking forward to His return in glory,
✨ and inviting Him into our lives today.
Explorers @ Christmas
7th December, 3-5pm, St Catherine’s School, Heathfield
A fun two hours for children under 11 to explore what Christmas is and why it’s important. St. Nicholas may also be making an appearance to spread good cheer (and some presents!) Children can be left unaccompanied during the service.
Bay Brass Band Concert
13th December, 7pm, St. Luke’s Church, Milber
John this amazing brass band for an evening of fun, carols, food & wine. Tickets £7.50 each and available on the door
9 Lessons & Carols
20th December, 6pm, St. Luke’s & St. John’s
This traditional service of readings and carols started at Truro Cathedral and is made famous by the BBC Broadcast on Christmas Eve each year. This very special service will recreate the original service from Truro and take you on the journey of Christ from Old Testament to New via some of the most beautiful carols and music you’ve ever heard.
Christingle & Crib Service
21st December, 3pm, St. Luke’s
The Christingle service is an opportunity to make your very own ‘christingle’ and sing brilliant carols. It’s great for children and adults alike.
Solemn Evensong & Benediction
21st December, 7pm, St. John’s
Evensong from the Book of Common Prayer is a beautiful service that lifts the soul and opens you to God in a unique and beautiful way. Combined with incense, candles, and Adoration and Benediction it will get you read for Christmas Day in a very special way. An hour of mediative reflection and beauty.
Christmas
Christmas is the joyful twelve-day season that celebrates the birth of our Savior. It begins on December 25th and carries us through to the Epiphany on January 6th.This is a time to gather with loved ones, give thanks, and rejoice in God’s greatest gift in three beautiful ways:
✨ celebrating His humble birth in Bethlehem,
✨ sharing His light and love with the world today,
✨ and anticipating the fullness of His kingdom to come.
Live Nativity (with animals!)
24th December, 4pm, St. John’s
This is the REAL nativity! Complete with donkeys, sheep, and other animals crowded around the stable. St. John’s will become Bethlehem as we explore the nativity story together. We’ll walk around the church yard, meeting the inn keeper, the shepherds, and the wise men… and of course, we’ll meet Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. There’ll be sweet treats, hot chocolate, mulled wine, and of course carols by the bucket load.
Midnight Mass
24th December, 8pm, St. John’s. 11:30pm, St. Luke’s.
The traditional first mass of Christmas Day is celebrated after sundown on the 24th December. A beautiful mass with incense, carols, and much cheer!
Christmas Day Mass
25th December
A joyful mass to gather and give thanks for all we have received and given. A chance to sing loud, to shout out in joy and love, and to embrace our neighbours as we celebrate this wonderful day.