Bradford Cathedral will be helping to bring comfort and joy to those living in the city, and further afield, as it launches its Advent and Christmas programme including services, events, and a daily video every day in December, as part of its online #BradventCalendar.
‘Comfort and Joy’ is this year’s Church of England theme and will be reflected in the cathedral’s activities this December.
Comfort and Joy?holds together the hope that Christmas will bring joy and celebration after a uniquely difficult year with an acknowledgement that – for those who have lost loved ones or livelihoods, or who are potentially still not able to be together with loved ones – it may be the Church’s role, both nationally and locally, to provide consolation, rather than assume everyone will be ready to join in jubilation.?
The season of Advent begins on Sunday November 29 and will see the switch-on of the cathedral’s ‘Star in the Tower’, which made its first appearance in 2019, alongside two services, the Advent Sunday Eucharist, and an Advent Carol Service.
The ‘Star in the Tower’ will serve as a beacon to those in the city looking for comfort and joy as 2020 nears its end, and will welcome those who would like to visit for personal prayer during the cathedral’s opening hours.
Services, events and activities will take place throughout the month.
A full listing of everything planned is available on the Bradford Cathedral website and social media.
Starting on Monday December 1, Bradford Cathedral will be launching its daily #BradventCalendar, with a specially created video launching on its YouTube channel, Facebook page and website each day.
These 24 videos will cover a whole range of things, from reflections to music, craft activities to poetry reading, how to make your own Christingle, and even tips from across the District about how you can live a more environmentally friendly Christmas.
Alongside the weekly Sunday Eucharist streamed live from Bradford Cathedral, there are many events planned to be held throughout the month, with others to be announced.
These include two music recitals, several ‘Carols and Readings’ services and the return of the popular ‘Carol Recital’ on Christmas Eve.
Alongside the #BradventCalendar, services and events, Bradford Cathedral will be offering a ‘Memory Tree’ in the cathedral onto which you’ll be able to add your thoughts, memories or prayers; the return of the cathedral crib; and there will be a special online Christmas Service for Schools.
There are also other activities to engage with online, including the Diocese of Leeds’ newly released ‘Rhythm of Life’ resources, designed to encourage children, young people and families to explore praying, encouraging, sharing, reflecting, celebrating, resting and creating; as well as an ‘Advent Book Study Course’.
The Revd Canon Mandy Coutts, Canon for Mission and Pastoral Development said: “This season, Bradford Cathedral is going to celebrate the twin themes of comfort and joy.
“Christmas is always a time of joy and celebration, and here we like to do that in style.
“But it’s also been a perplexing and troubling year; a year in which we’ve needed comfort more than ever.
“And so this year we also seek to bring comfort to those in need; those who are feeling the sadness of this time, and of the circumstances.
“So here at Bradford Cathedral, we will be bringing comfort and joy in equal measure this coming month.”
You can find out more about Advent and Christmas at Bradford Cathedral here.