Advent & Christmas 2022
Christmas 2022 is going to be very unusual and very special! And why? I think it’s because we’ve all had such an extraordinary and challenging year, and because it comes on top of two pretty low-key Covid Christmases.
So what a great time to celebrate! We can really bring joy to others through our company, our care and compassion. It needn’t even cost any money. Jesus was born into poverty, a long way from home and during a time of brutal Roman occupation. And the world has never been the same since as a result of the love, the light and the peace which he brought. This year, let’s rejoice together and take advantage of all the opportunities on offer to shine the light of hope into the darkness of those who long to experience it.
Rector Benefice of Bradford on Avon Holy Trinity, Westwood and Wingfield
Advent & Christmas Services & Events around the Benefice
Tuesday, 6 – Sunday, 11 December – Holy Trinity Christmas Tree Festival
10.30am to 6pm every day – come and enjoy the warmth, the light, the joy, the colour, the friendly welcome, the refreshments and the sheer beauty of the building – not to mention all those Christmas trees introduced and decorated by our many local organisations, businesses, churches, charities (and even Parish news), and a wonderful range of musical entertainment. So a must if you have been before, and certainly a must if you haven’t!
Friday, 9 December
6.30pm – St Mary, Wingfield Christmas Candlelit Concert with The Mead School and Marcus Sealy at the organ – seasonal carols, songs and poems – with complimentary mulled wine and amazing mince pies in the interval – retiring collection for St Mary’s Church – free entry, but numbers limited so please apply early to David Robinson on 07788 755607
7pm – Holy Trinity
Christmas Tree Festival Bradford Choral Society Concert – now a firm annual event on the calendar. Tickets cost £10 (on the door or from Ex Libris).
Sunday, 11 December
9.30am – Holy Trinity
Christmas Tree Festival ‘In the Round’ Service complete with the great ‘In the Round’ Music Group
Sunday, 18 December
9.30am – St Mary, Wingfield ‘Chuppa Carols’ – a not-to-be-missed fun opportunity complete with coffee and cake!
6.30pm – Holy Trinity
Service of Nine Lessons and Carols – come and hear our choir at its best for this very traditional and candlelit service which begins to prepare us for Christmas Day. And if you would like to join the choir, then do please contact our Director of Music, Martin Cooke – Tel 01985 248866 – martincookeuk@me.com
6.30pm – St Mary the Virgin, Westwood Carol Service with refreshments afterwards in the Parish Rooms.
Tuesday, 20 December
7.30pm – Holy Trinity Noel Christmas Concert given by Cantamus Chamber Choir.
Thursday, 22 December
6pm – The Saxon Church Candlelit Christmas Carols with mulled wine
Saturday, 24 December – CHRISTMAS EVE
3pm – Holy Trinity
Crib and Christingle Service – the Bradford on Avon Christmas must for so many – full of light and joy! And we shall be remembering and supporting the ever-increasing needs of children in distress through the work of The Children’s Society.
11.15pm – Holy Trinity and St Mary the Virgin, Westwood
Candlelit Midnight Mass – we celebrate the First Eucharist of Christmas together on this holy night at the very ‘birth’ of Christmas Day – come and share the wonder, the mystery of ‘Emmanuel – Christ with us’
Sunday, 25 December – CHRISTMAS DAY
8am – Holy Trinity
Eucharist (Traditional Language)
9.30am – St Mary, Wingfield
Family Service with Carols – come early to get a seat!
10am – Holy Trinity
Eucharist with Carols – a joyful celebration for all the family!
11.15am – St Mary the Virgin, Westwood
Family Service with Carols – come early to get a seat!