Christmas Services 2025
Nativity scene from the East window of St Mary's Church |
St Mary's - Saffron Walden
Sunday 30th November 2025
6.30pm Advent Carol Service
Come and join with members of all the local churches for this special service of readings and carols by candlelight to mark the start of Advent.
This Advent service makes preparation for the coming of our Lord to earth and the form of the service is based upon ancient and traditional sources of the Church. The service starts in complete darkness and, as it progresses ministers and members of the congregation light candles to move the light from West to East. The music is led by the church choir and members of all the local churches take part.
Sunday 14th December
4.00pm Christingle Service
Christingles that are lit during the service are made from an orange decorated with red tape, sweets and a candle symbolizing Christ as the light of the world. Children are especially welcome. A collection will be taken for the Children’s Society. Find out more about Christingle Services and the work of the Children’s Society here.
Thursday 18th December
7.30pm A Blue Christmas Service.
This is a quiet service for anyone who finds it hard to buy into the forced merriment of Christmas, or wants space, or for whom this might be a difficult time of year
Sunday 21st December
6.30pm Service of Nine Lessons and Carols.
A traditional service of bible readings and carols sung by the choir and congregation. This service will also be livestreamed on YouTube: TBC. Download the service sheet here nearer the time.
Christmas Eve – Wednesday 24th December
4.00pm Lighting of the Christmas Tree
6.00pm Lighting of the Christmas Tree
These two identical services are particularly suitable for children. Children are welcome to dress as shepherds or angels to take part in the Christmas story. A collection will go to the Mayor’s chosen charity, Uttlesford Community Action Network. UCAN’s primary mission is to reduce loneliness and isolation amongst our population and enable people to live independent but supported and connected lives. Any presents will be donated to children in a women's refuge but please do not wrap them.
11.30pm Midnight Holy Communion
The first communion of Christmas.
Christmas Day – Thursday 25th December
Join us to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on this special day
10.30am Family Communion
This service will also be livestreamed on YouTube: TBC Download the Red Service Book for Christmas and Epiphany here.
Sunday 11th January 2025
4.00pm Epiphany Choral Evensong
Celebration of the visit of the wise men to the Christ child.
St James – Sewards End
Saturday 20th December
5.00pm Carol Service
Thursday 25th December – Christmas Day
10.30am Family Communion
St Johns – Little Walden
Saturday 13th December
5.00pm Carol Service
Thursday 25th December – Christmas Day
10.30 a.m. Holy Communion
"All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."
Luke 2: 3-7