The Church of England’s Christmas reflections have been published this week, written by the Diocese of York’s Discipleship Adviser, Sammi Tooze. The series of daily reflections from Christmas Day to the Eve of Epiphany (5th January) explore this year’s theme of ‘Follow the Star: Calm and Bright’.
The booklet is designed to be given away at Christmas services and events. Taking inspiration from the world-famous carol ‘Silent Night’, it invites us to step into the still centre of the Christmas story where ‘All is calm, all is bright’.
Sammi Tooze offers a meditation for each day from Christmas Eve to the Eve of Epiphany, with a reflection, challenge and prayer based on a short Bible reading, designed to help us find moments of calm as well as bright joy through the season.
Sammi said, “It’s an honour to be invited to write these meditations for the twelve days of Christmas. As Advent and Christmas approach, my hope is that these reflections will offer a space for us all to encounter God in hope-filled calm, prayerfully reflecting on Jesus’ story in gentleness and in joy.”
The Revd Dr Ian McIntosh, Director of Mission and Ministry, said, “I am delighted to commend the “Calm and Bright” Christmas resource. It comes as no surprise to those of us who know Sammi that her creativity, capacity for clear and accessible writing, and her eye for detail have been recognised by others in commissioning her to write these resources. Her deep spirituality and desire to enable others to deepen their own everyday faith are evident in all that she does, and particularly so in this resource.”
An Advent and Christmas resource hub will be available on the Diocese of York’s website soon – keep an eye out in the Journal for more information.
