In the lead up to Christmas, Anglican News is featuring stories and information about how different Anglican churches around the world are marking this important Christian festival, or responding to human need.
The Anglican Church of Canada
The Most Revd Shane Parker, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada and Bishop of Ottawa, has shared a Christmas reflection drawing on themes of light, faith, and reconciliation. Reflecting on a visit to Germany and encounters with places marked by war and renewal, he recalls the symbolism of reconciliation represented by the Coventry Cross of Nails and the enduring witness of peace emerging from histories of conflict.
At the heart of his message is a meditation on The Nativity by the artist Albrecht Altdorfer, in which the light of the Christ Child outshines all other sources of illumination. Archbishop Shane reflects on Christmas as a reminder that faith is not something to be sustained by human effort alone, but a gift given by God. He encourages Christians to look to Christ for light and strength, to keep Christmas simple, and to allow the light God places within them to illuminate the lives of others.
Read the full message here
The Anglican Church of Brazil
The Most Revd Marinez Rosa dos Santos Bassotto, Primate of Brazil and Bishop of the Amazon, has shared a Christmas message of hope and renewal, delivered in Portuguese with English subtitles. Reflecting on the approaching celebration of Christ’s birth, she describes Christmas as a time of new possibilities and the promise of transformation, recalling how the birth of Jesus brought hope to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, and continues to illuminate the paths of believers today.
Archbishop Marinez reflects on Christmas not only as a historic event, but as a living reality in which Christ continues to be born wherever there is vulnerability, exclusion, violence, and suffering, and in the solidarity of those who love. She prays that this Christmas may be a time of deep renewal, as people are touched by God’s love and transformed to live in reconciliation with one another and with all creation.
Watch the full message here
The Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan
The Most Revd Justin Badi Arama, Archbishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, has shared his Christmas message for 2025, reflecting on the birth of Jesus Christ as a sign of God’s love, hope, and peace amid ongoing challenges. Acknowledging the economic hardship, insecurity, and delays in the peace process facing the nation, he affirms that Christmas proclaims light shining in the darkness and peace offered to all humanity.
Archbishop Justin invites communities across South Sudan to become ‘Bethlehem’, welcoming Christ into the heart of the nation and allowing the newborn Child to bring reconciliation, renewal, and meaning in the face of hardship. He concludes with prayers that Christ’s peace and love may fill homes and communities throughout Christmas and the year ahead.
Read the full message here
The Church in Wales
The Most Revd Cherry Vann, Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Monmouth, has shared her Provincial Christmas message reflecting on Christ as the light of the world. Drawing on the Gospel of John, she speaks of Jesus as ‘the true light’ who shines in the darkness, a light rooted in God’s love and revealed in the birth of the Christ-child.
The Archbishop reflects on Christmas as a season of hope, joy, and peace, affirming that however dark or desperate circumstances may seem, the darkness will not overcome the light of Christ. She encourages Christians to share that light in simple, everyday acts of kindness, reminding readers that even small gestures can bring hope and make a real difference in the lives of others.
Read the full message here.
Church of the Province of West Africa
The Most Revd Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, Primate of the Church of the Province of West Africa, has shared his Christmas message for 2025, centred on the angelic proclamation of joy, peace and goodwill at the birth of Jesus Christ. Drawing on the Gospel of Luke, he encourages Anglicans to remain steadfast in faith, to ascribe all glory to God and to trust in God’s good purposes as the year draws to a close.
Archbishop Cyril calls on churches and communities to express the message of Christmas through intentional acts of goodwill, particularly towards the poor and the vulnerable. He invites Anglicans to see themselves as heralds of peace and goodwill in their homes, churches, and nations and highlights commitments to discipleship, church planting, evangelism and care for God’s creation as signs of faithful Christian witness in the year ahead.
Read the full Christmas message here
Bishop of London and Archbishop of Canterbury-Elect
The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Bishop of London and Archbishop of Canterbury-Elect, has shared a Christmas reflection inviting readers to rethink the familiar phrase ‘no room in the inn’. Drawing on biblical scholarship, she explores the Nativity story as one rooted not in rejection, but in generous and costly hospitality, as families made space for a vulnerable couple and their newborn child.
Reflecting on contemporary expressions of hospitality, Bishop Sarah points to homes, churches, and communities where those who do not easily ‘fit’ are welcomed with care and dignity. She concludes that Christ continues to be born among us wherever loving hospitality overrides inconvenience, and leaves readers with a prayer calling for open hearts and shared homes this Christmas.
Read the full message here
Ireland: Joint Church Leaders’ Christmas Message
Church leaders from across Ireland have shared a joint Christmas message for 2025 centred on Emmanuel, ‘God with us’, and the enduring gift of hope revealed in the birth of Jesus Christ. Reflecting on a world marked by war, violence, poverty, injustice, and uncertainty, the message acknowledges the fragility of hope for many people, from those living amid conflict to communities facing hardship closer to home.
The leaders affirm that Christmas proclaims God’s closeness to all who suffer and call those with power and influence to be messengers of hope rather than despair. Rooted in the conviction that life is a precious gift to be cherished with dignity, the message invites all people of goodwill to hold fast to hope and to work for a more peaceful, just, and compassionate world.
Read the full Christmas message here
The Church of South India
The Church of South India has shared its Christmas Greetings for 2025, reflecting on the birth of Jesus Christ as a light that shines brightest in times of darkness. In a world shaken by war, conflict, and rising violence, especially against women and children, the message proclaims Christ as the Prince of Peace, bringing healing, dignity, and hope.
The message calls the Church to embody Christ’s mission of unity, compassion, justice, and peace, praying that communities may become places of welcome and restoration, and echoing Jesus’ prayer ‘that they all may be one’.
Read the full Christmas card here
The Church in the Province of the West Indies
The Most Revd Philip G. Wright, Archbishop of the Church in the Province of the West Indies, has shared a Christmas greeting reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas as the revelation of God’s love through the birth of Jesus Christ. He encourages Anglicans to carry the light, hope, and joy of Christmas beyond the season, seeking daily opportunities to show gratitude, kindness, and love as a witness to God’s enduring presence.
'The true meaning of Christmas is found in the peaceful marvel of God’s love shown through the birth of the Christ child. Christmas teaches us that light shines most vividly amid darkness and hope can be found in the simplest aspects of life. It encourages us to appreciate our blessings, cherish meaningful moments and relationships, and seek opportunities to show kindness and love.
Let this time refresh our hearts with gratitude, peace, and a renewed sense of purpose. May we carry these values beyond December, making each day a testimony to God’s enduring love and joy.'
The Episcopal Church of Sudan
The Most Revd Ezekiel Kondo, Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of Sudan and Bishop of Khartoum, has shared a Christmas message centred on hope, peace, and the enduring presence of God amid the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Acknowledging the deep suffering caused by more than 32 months of violence, displacement, and loss, Archbishop Kondo reflects on the difficulty of celebrating Christmas in such circumstances, while affirming that ‘God is still on the throne’ and that Jesus Christ remains the hope of Sudan and of the world.
Drawing on the angelic proclamation of peace in Luke’s Gospel, Archbishop Kondo reaffirms the Church’s call for an immediate end to hostilities and renewed international attention to the humanitarian crisis. He recalls a statement issued by the bishops of the Episcopal Church of Sudan urging ceasefire, safe humanitarian corridors, and a genuine commitment to peace, justice, and reconciliation. The Archbishop concludes by commending all who work for peace and by holding in prayer Sudanese refugees and displaced communities, asking that they may yet experience the peace and joy of Christmas.
Read the full message here
The Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf
The Rt Revd Sean Semple, Bishop of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf in the Province of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, has shared an Advent and Christmas message reflecting on Jubilee, renewal, and the witness of the Church at the crossroads of the world. Looking ahead to the Diocese’s golden anniversary in 2026, Bishop Sean recalls the biblical tradition of Jubilee as a time not only of celebration, but of restoration, release, and renewal, rooted in Jesus’ proclamation of good news in Nazareth.
Bishop Sean invites parishes across the Diocese to mark the coming year as a Jubilee, finding their own ways to ‘reset and renew’ their life and mission, and to demonstrate the jubilant love of Christ through acts of mercy, forgiveness, and restoration. He concludes by offering his prayers for the Diocese throughout Advent and Christmas, as Anglicans across the Middle East prepare to celebrate the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ.
Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa
The Ven J.W. Kofi, General Secretary of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA), shared a Christmas message celebrating ‘the wondrous gift of Immanuel - God with us.’ The message reads ‘In the light of the manger, we are reminded that God's hope enters our world in humility, transforming darkness with a love that knows no bounds.
‘As the Anglican family across Africa, we are called to reflect this transforming love in our communities. Let the joy of this season renew our shared commitment to unity, compassion, and faithful service. May the Prince of Peace guide our fellowship, strengthen our partnerships, and inspire our witness.
The Church of Bangladesh
The Most Revd Samuel Sunil Mankhin, the Moderator of the Church of Bangladesh and Bishop of Dhaka, recently shared a Christmas message encouraging Anglicans to ‘rejoice that God came near’ at Christmastime.
Moderator Samuel writes that ‘In Jesus, the light of God shines into our darkness, bringing forgiveness, courage, and new beginnings. Therefore, let us hear again the angel's good news: "To you is born this day ... a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11), and let our hearts be filled with worship, gratitude, and hope.’
He also asked for prayers for Bangladesh as the nation ‘moves toward an upcoming election and an important season of public decision-making.’ 
The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion
The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Right Reverend Anthony Poggo, offers his Christmas message for 2025. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Bishop Anthony reflects on the joys and challenges faced across our global Communion, the renewed call to Christian unity, and the hope that Christ brings to a world in need.
Bishop Anthony urged, ‘As we prepare for Christmas and celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace, may we continue to walk closer together as Christians. May we share the hope of Christ with a hurting world. And may we work tirelessly for the peace that only He can bring.’
Watch the Christmas Message
Download the full message
Read translations of the Christmas
Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand & Polynesia
The three Archbishops and Primates of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand & Polynesia, the Most Revd Don Tamihere, the Most Revd Sione Ulu’ilakepa and the Most Revd Justin Duckworth, share a Christmas message of hope.
The Archbishops write: ‘When times are hard and uncertain, we can sometimes lose hope and struggle to imagine a better future. That’s why the story of the birth of Jesus is such an important and relevant sign for us.’
‘Every year we are gifted the blessing of returning to the Christmas season and to the lessons that the story of the birth of Jesus holds for us. Every year we are reminded just how relevant the story of the Christ-child remains.’
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The Church of the Province of West Africa
Anglicans in Ghana marked the first Sunday of Advent with Gifts for Christ: A Sacred Opera of Nine Lessons and Carols, a creative production at the Association International School in Accra that reimagined the traditional service through a Ghanaian cultural lens. Blending scripture, song and drama, the opera traced the story of redemption from Eden to Bethlehem through the eyes of a young Ghanaian girl. Led by the Revd Akua Ofori-Boateng and a local creative team, the project invited audiences to hear the Christmas story told with distinctly Ghanaian voices and rhythms.
The Church of England
The Church of England’s Advent and Christmas theme for 2025 is The Joy of Christmas . It invites people to rediscover the hope and joy at the heart of the season and offers a huge range of free resources for families, schools and churches. This includes a fully illustrated children’s picture book called The Grumpy Owl and the Joy of Christmas, written by Jonathan Maltz and Christopher Poch. It is the first time in its history that the Church of England has produced a fully illustrated children’s picture book for the season of Advent and Christmas.
The Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East
The Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East have shared a Daily Prayer Booklet for the season of Advent. In the introduction, the Primate, the Most Revd Hosam Naoum writes:
‘In a world filled with voices that build walls, Christmas comes to remind us of the message of peace. Christ was born under the song of the angels: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace, goodwill among people.”
The peace proclaimed by the angels is not a mere slogan, but a long journey that begins with forgiveness and mercy. Many carry heavy wounds in their hearts—disappointments, hurts, and painful memories. But Christmas invites us to lay these wounds at the manger of Christ, that he may transform them into new opportunities for love.’
The Most Reverend Hosam Naoum Primate of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem
Read the full message from Archbishop Hosam Naoum.
Download the resource in English.
Dowload the resource in Arabic.
Christmas Appeals in the Anglican Communion
From hurricane relief, flood response, peace building or humanitarian aid, find out about different Anglican appeals around the world and how you can support them.
Find out about the appeals being run by different Provinces and organisations on our Appeal Page.