Nothing can ‘cancel’ the message of hope and new life at the heart of Christmas even if some celebrations are smaller this year, bishops' Christmas messages say.

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have joined leaders from across the Church of England, the Anglican Communion and other Churches in paying tribute to Desmond Tutu the Archbishop Emeritus  of Cape Town, who has died at the age of 90.

Bereaved people and all those experiencing a sense of loss over Christmas are to be comforted with the message that God is with us in our darkness, in a special service to be broadcast by the Church of England.

The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, has urged people to take steps now to protect each other as we prepare to celebrate Christmas – the second during the global Covid-19 pandemic – amid a rise in cases.

More than 9,000 churches offered ‘Church at Home’ worship during the first lockdown

This Christmas should be a time for sharing, togetherness, faith and hope in the wake of the hardships of the last two years, according to voices in this year’s Church of England Christmas advert.

The Church of England’s Digital Team has been praised for ‘incredible innovation and initiative’ as it won a series of awards for its output during the pandemic.

The Church of England is to release a new carol as part of its Christmas campaign for 2021

Young people, aged between 12 and 17, from across England led and engaged in discussions with members of the General Synod ahead of the first full in-person meeting since before the pandemic. 

Her Majesty The Queen has highlighted how during the difficult times of the last few years “the Gospel of Christ has brought hope, as it has done throughout the ages”.