The story behind our advert

Follow the Star night sky background

Follow the Star: The Great Invitation

The story behind our advert

This year’s Christmas video tells the story of a life supported by the local church. It follows one woman through many Christmases throughout her life – from her first starring role as the baby Jesus in the village nativity play, to childhood and teenage years, joining church youth groups, getting married, parenthood and facing bereavement.

Despite life's ups and downs, she finds joy and support in the church, faith and friendship, not only during Christmas but throughout the year.

And it echoes a simple message: we are here for you through life’s journey. For worship and community.

Our thanks to the churches and the communities who helped tell our Christmas story: Melbourne Parish Church (Diocese of Derby), St George’s Church (Diocese of Leeds), and St Giles Cripplegate (Diocese of London).

Our churches are getting ready to welcome you in to celebrate – once again or for the very first time.

If you’ve enjoyed a wedding or christening in church, we invite you to come back to celebrate the birth of Jesus we remember in December.

If you’ve been supported by a church through a bereavement or other difficult time, come and gather with us again as we reflect on the year and pray for those finding it hard.

And if you’ve never visited one of our churches before, well we think now is a wonderful time of year to come along, and we are looking forward to welcoming you.

This year’s Christmas video follows one journey – we’d love to be there for you through yours.

In the highs and lows of life that we all experience, the Church of England is a presence in every community, ready to invite you in, whatever age you are, whatever stage of life you're at and whatever you're going through. You are welcome at church this Christmas.

The last few Christmases have been difficult. This year’s Christmas video brings churches across the country together with a very special message that we hope encourages more people than ever to visit one of our churches this Christmas.

You are welcome.

More about the Follow the Star campaign