Advent & Christmas 2023
Well, it’s here again! And only a few weeks to go till the big day, which we call in the church ‘The Feast of the Incarnation’ as we remember Jesus Christ, the Son of God, come to dwell amongst us: “the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth”.
Yet of course every year feels different. And for Christmas 2023, my focus is certainly on that wonderful image of the angel with the “multitude of the heavenly host” proclaiming to the shepherds in their fields above Bethlehem (poignantly, today part of the West Bank): “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”. That is what we so long to hear because “Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine”.
Rector Benefice of Bradford on Avon Holy Trinity, Westwood and Wingfield
Advent & Christmas Services & Events around the Benefice
Tuesday, 5 -Sunday, 10 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 which gets better every year. So a must if you have been before, and certainly a must if you haven’t!
Friday, 8 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 ‘On Christmas Night’ Concert – including music by John Rutter and Vaughan Williams – now a firm annual event on the calendar.
Sunday, 10 December
9.30am – Holy Trinity Christmas Tree Festival ‘In the Round’ Service complete with the gifted ‘In the Round’ Music Group
Wednesday, 13 December
7pm – Holy Trinity St Laurence School Carol Service
Saturday, 16 December
3pm – Holy Trinity ‘Wiltshire Wailers’ Christmas Concert with all funds going towards medical supplies in Ukraine – “Choirs, Cakes & Christmas Songs”.
7.30pm – Holy Trinity Rotary Club of Bradford on Avon Concert with the Corsham Brass Band and in aid of ‘Mind’ Wiltshire
Sunday, 17 December
9.30am – Holy Trinity. Benefice Sung Eucharist with Bishop Andrew
9.30am – St Mary, Wingfield. ‘Chuppa Carols’ – a not-to-be-missed fun opportunity complete with coffee and cake!
6pm – 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
6pm – St Mary the Virgin, Westwood. Carol Service
Tuesday, 19 December
7.30pm – Holy Trinity. ‘A Cantamus Christmas’ – an evocative concert full of music and readings for Advent & Christmas (including Carols).
Thursday, 21 December
6pm – The Saxon Church. Candlelit Christmas Carols with mulled wine
CHRISTMAS EVE
3pm – Holy Trinity. Crib and Christingle Service – the Bradford on Avon Christmas must for so many, of all ages – 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. 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’.
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. Family 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!