Christmas Isn’t Cancelled: A Message Resonating Across England
Christmas Isn’t Cancelled: A Message Resonating Across England
As churches across England prepare for what is shaping up to be an unusually busy Christmas season, a short Church of England video carrying a simple message, “Christmas isn’t cancelled,” has captured widespread attention online. The video, shared across major social media platforms, has recorded close to two million views and sparked renewed interest in Christmas services and events nationwide.
An Open Invitation to Everyone
The video encourages people to “discover the joy of Christmas at your local church,” pushing back gently against claims that Christmas has lost its place in public life. Church leaders behind the campaign say the idea that Christmas is being cancelled “is news to us.”
The message is deliberately inclusive. It reminds viewers that Christmas is not limited to regular churchgoers. Whether someone has attended church for decades, dropped in occasionally, or has never been at all, the invitation is the same: Christmas belongs to everyone, and churches are open to all who wish to take part.
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Strong Online Response
The response online has been striking. According to the Church of England, the video has attracted around 125,000 combined likes, comments, and shares. It has also drawn positive reactions from public figures, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who praised the campaign for its welcoming and unifying tone.
The video was released shortly before Tommy Robinson’s “Unite the Kingdom” carols service in London, which was promoted as an effort to “put the Christ back into Christmas.” While the Church of England did not reference the event directly, its message positioned Christmas as something shared by the whole nation, rather than something to be claimed or defended.
Churches Prepare for a Busy Season
Interest online is already being reflected in church activity. Church of England parishes are on course to exceed last year’s total of 23,525 Advent and Christmas services, suggesting a notable rise in attendance and engagement.
There has also been a significant increase in traffic to the Church’s online church-finder, A Church Near You. Visits to the site have grown by around 20 per cent week on week, as people search for nearby services, carol concerts, and Christmas Day worship.
Public Interest Reflected in Polling
Recent polling commissioned by the charity Tearfund points to a broader shift. Nearly half of adults in the UK say they plan to attend a church event or service this Christmas. Among younger adults, the figures are even higher, with close to 60 per cent of Gen Z and Millennials saying they expect to attend.
Church leaders say these findings challenge the idea that younger generations are disconnected from faith. Instead, they suggest that many people, particularly younger adults, are open to exploring spirituality during moments of reflection such as Christmas.
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The Joy of Christmas Campaign
The video is part of the Church of England’s wider “Joy of Christmas” campaign, launched at the start of Advent. The campaign offers simple reflections, prayers, and devotional materials designed to be accessible to people from all walks of life, regardless of their religious background.
By focusing on joy, welcome, and shared celebration, the campaign aims to cut through the noise of the season and remind people of the deeper meaning behind Christmas.
A Moment of Connection
For church leaders, the success of the video highlights a continuing desire for connection and meaning during Christmas. In a time marked by uncertainty and division, the message is clear and uncomplicated: Christmas is still here, churches are open, and everyone is welcome to be part of it.
Content Credit: Ohidah Oluwaferanmi
Image Credit: Mynecchurch.com
