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Churches have launched a counter campaign to challenge the Unite the Kingdom Christmas event “Putting the Christ back into Christmas”, taking place in central London tomorrow (Saturday 13th). A resources pack offers theological and pastoral guidance. Bishops in Southwark Diocese expressed grave concern at the use of Christian symbols to justify racism and anti migrant rhetoric. The former Bishop of Oxford,
Lord Richard Harries, said Christian nationalism ‘has no place’ in immigration policy. Bishop Cei Dewar of the fringe Confessing Anglican Church, who opened the Unite the Kingdom rally, rebuked the CofE and said it should “stop posturing” and return to the gospel.
200,000 Christians in Britain are taking part in outdoor Christmas carol services this weekend in events called “Shine Your Light “. The evangelistic campaign says it is “working with some great Christian organisations to put Christ back into Christmas”. More than 1700 events are planned in cities and villages, market squares and shopping centres >>
Hundreds of Christian football fans took part in the FA’s ‘Faith and Football’ Christmas event at Wembley, hearing from top footballers and grassroots organisers on how faith and football are intertwined, and then joining a carol service beside the pitch with a Salvation Army band. Players have described praying together before matches, bonding a team spirit and going on to win – Crystal Palace the FA cup and Arsenal at the top of the Premier league. Report and pics here >>
Anne Smyth, widow of serial abuser John Smyth, has spoken publicly for the first time in a Channel 4 documentary “See No Evil”. She said she hated her husband’s actions but felt unable to intervene:“I want with all my heart to say I am so sorry; I am ashamed of myself”. The programmes also included interviews with his children and survivors, and more information on the church cover up of a report from 1982 >>
Pope Leo met President Zelensky in Rome to discuss the peace plan for Ukraine, soon after Trump criticised European leaders as weak and their countries as “decaying”. The Pope said: “remarks that are made about Europe, also in interviews recently, I think, are trying to break apart what I think needs to be a very important alliance today and in the future” >>
King Charles attended an Advent service at Westminster Abbey last night, which remembered Christians facing persecution around the world, in a service with church leaders from across Britain and the Middle East, and interfaith representatives >>
We are in the season of Advent, leading to Christmas Day – Tim Wyatt reports here >> And on Sunday 14 December, the Jewish festival of Hannukah starts – factsheet here >>
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| Monday 8 December 2025 Churches push back against Christian nationalist agenda this Christmas Christmas tree returns to Manger Square in Bethlehem Tallest menorah in Europe installed at Trafalgar Square Arsenal’s ‘Bible Boys’ and the power of prayer propelling them to win Church support ‘crucial’ for people in poverty Family of serial abuser John Smyth interviewed for Channel 4 documentary 500 year old painting discovered by chance at Campion Hall Pope Leo, listening to Michael Bublé, says music can lead people to God |
| Tuesday 9 December Wembley Christmas event hears how praying footballers build teams that win Nasa scientist’s new theory re the Wise Men’s star German president and chancellor back cause for peace New Dean of Winchester New Orleans Catholic sex abuse scandal agreed scale of payment Methodists launch Christmas campaign: You are a gift! West Midlands police decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, is continuing Chancellor: Antisemitism is stain on this county One hundred kidnapped Nigerian children released |
| Wednesday 10 December Pope says remarks on Europe ‘trying to break apart a very important alliance’ Methodist leader warns about Unite the Kingdom Christmas event in London 7,000 CofE members ‘deeply disappointed’ that bishops paused same sex blessing process UK Gospel Coalition to launch in 2026 Bishop warns vicars will have to pay new tax on £2million homes ‘Blue light hijab’ rolled out in Leicester Myanmar earthquake recovery shows importance of trust between religions in a crisis Visa revoked for Pakistani influencer Hundreds of millions of dollars for survivors of US Catholic clergy sex abuse US Commission makes Vietnam country of concern for religious freedom |
| Thursday 11 December John Smyth’s wife says she is sorry and ashamed for failing to stop his abuse King Charles attends Advent service highlighting persecution of Christians Pew Research Centre questions reports of a religious revival Bishops denounce use of Christian symbols in racist anti-immigrant rhetoric ahead of Christmas rally CofE racial justice board laments cut in funding Bishop Sarah Mullaly faces complaint over handling of abuse allegation Peacebuilding conference in London for Israeli and Palestinian civil society leaders Hanukkah rituals around the world Mary and Joseph nativity statues replaced with ‘ICE was here’ |
| Friday 12 December Christian nationalism ‘has no place’ in immigration policy Reform party launches Christian Fellowship Shabana Mahmood says her strong faith led her into politics ‘Muslim Creators Network’ proposed to change portrayal in the media Former Jesuit Refugee Service director appointed to the Lords Charedi Jews in London protest against conscription in Israel Migrant avoiding arrest posed as a shepherd in nativity tableau |
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