Advent and Christmas Advent is a time of preparation and joyful expectation. In 2025 the First Sunday of Advent was Sunday 30 November. As we prepare for the birth of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, these weeks provide a wonderful opportunity to slow down and reflect. We look forward to the coming of Christ: celebrating His birth, His renewed coming into our lives this Christmas, especially through the Eucharist, and His second coming at the end of time. Advent marks the start of the Church’s liturgical year. In 2025, we enter Cycle A. Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning ‘arrival’ or ‘coming’. It’s a key time in which we prepare ourselves to celebrate the Lord coming into the world as the incarnate God of love. Note: This page will continue to be updated with resources and reflections to accompany you through Advent and Christmas. St Chad's Cathedral Christmas Masses 2025 Cathedral Carol Service: 5pm, Sunday 21 December Christmas Vigil Mass: 7.30pm, Wednesday 24 December Midnight Mass and Blessing of the crib: 11.45pm, Wednesday 24 December Christmas Day Masses: 9.30am and 11.30am, Thursday 25 December St Chad's Cathedral website and live stream Live stream (direct) Liturgical Celebrations presided over by Pope Leo Watch online via Vatican News Jump to: Advent Calendars Prayers, Reflections and Readings Resources for young people and families Parishes Music Charitable Appeals Retreats Advent Calendars CAFOD Advent calendar The CAFOD 2025 online Advent calendar of daily prayer and reflection will offer an opportunity to pause, reflect, pray and take action as we prepare for Christmas. Sign up for CAFOD's daily Advent calendar reflections Advent calendar for Young People Mission Together A digital Advent calendar for children. Mission Together Advent calendar Responding to the Call of Creation 12 Days to a Climate Conscious Christmas Catholic Union Advent Calendar The Catholic Union is delighted to share its Advent Calendar which is available to download and print from its website. The Advent Calendar features daily contributions from leading Catholic figures in public life. Catholic Union Advent Calendar Wave of Hope Starting on the First Sunday of Advent, 'Wave of Hope' offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season - one a day - as contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope. Wave of Hope Advent Calendar The John Bradburne Memorial Society From the first day of Advent until Christmas Day, we will be sharing short daily prayers that reflect the themes close to John's heart. (Watch via YouTube below). 1. Hope in hardship2. Joy in small things3. Love for the forgotten4. Confidence in God's presence Laudato Si' Advent (2024) Advent is almost upon us. We want to anticipate the hope that the Child God will bring us and deepen our contemplation of this mystery. Join the Laudato Si' Movement as we await the coming of Christ, crying out with Creation for the light of the world to come! Laudato Si' Advent Calendar Prayers, Reflections and Readings Advent Readings by Fr Adrian Gaffy The full presentation of all the Mass readings for Advent with commentary by Fr Adrian Graffy is now available. Reflections on the wonderful collection of Bible readings which we read in the season of Advent. Plus Christmas Readings from the Lectionary. What Good News - Advent Readings What Good News - Christmas Readings Diocesan Vision - the Season of Advent The Liturgy and Worship Group's video (recorded 2021) on the season of Advent and its importance in our Christian lives. Diocesan Vision - the Season of Christmas The Liturgy and Worship Group's video (recorded 2021) on the season of Christmas and the richness it holds. Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. It marks the start of the Church’s liturgical year. In 2025, we enter Cycle A. Resources Liturgy Office of England and Wales - December 2025 - liturgical resources for the days of Advent and Christmas. Liturgy Office calendar The God Who Speaks Scripture campaign presents a wealth of resources: Advent Inspiration and resources for the season of Advent. When we await and prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas and also for his Second Coming. Christmas Celebrate the season of Christmas with us from Christmas day to the Feast of the Lord’s Baptism. National Office for Vocation 'Journeying through Advent 2024: Pilgrimage and Discernment' Weekly reflections written by different people in 2024, giving top tips on discernment and pilgrimage. This can help us on our journey throughout Advent and throughout the year to come. Prayer will be central to the resource, giving you time to look at the words and reflect, giving everything to Jesus. Pilgrimage and Discernment CAFOD Advent Prayers Pray and reflect with us this Advent during this season of preparation, hope and expectation ahead of Christmas. Access CAFOD's Advent prayers Women of the Diocese present Advent Reflections (recorded 2021) The Women of the Diocese produced a reflection for each Sunday in Advent 2021. Women of the Diocese Advent Reflections Walk With Me for Adults The Advent edition of the Walk with Me journey of prayer. Available in many of our parishes. Advent 2025 booklet A round-up of resources from Birmingham Churches Together Advent and Christmas Resources compiled by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Free prayer programmes from Hozana A selection of resources from Hozana, an organisation run by Catholic laypeople with an ecumenical perspective. These prayer programmes are audio, written, free and ad-free and include the following: Audio Advent: Meditations to ignite a spark in your soul! Return to Essentials: Advent reflections from Ampleforth AbbeyLearn to Hope with Saint Rita of Cascia to prepare Christmas Advent with Hozana Podcast: Word & Wisdom A 2024 podcast series from the Centre for Applied Carmelite Spirituality (CACS) - a weekly reflection on the Sunday’s scriptures and the wisdom of the Carmelite tradition. Listen to Word & Wisdom Advent Podcast: Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes The Sanctuary’s “chapelains” speak out in a 2024 Advent podcast. The Bishop of the Tarbes and Lourdes diocese, Mgr Jean-Marc Micas, the rector of the Sanctuary of Lourdes, Father Michel Daubanes, and the Sanctuary’s “chapelains” are delighted to help guide you through the Advent season with a series of podcasts/videos. Each day this year, you'll be able to hear a chaplain's account of an encounter or a place that made an impression on him in Lourdes. Podcast from Lourdes ‘One Dark Night…’ An Advent Preparation with the Carmelite Friars. Access here Resources for Young People and Families CAFOD A wealth of resources for liturgies, Advent calendars and World Gifts. Advent for children Advent for young people World Gifts Bible Society Share the good news this Christmas with children’s booklets and activities. Including an advent countdown adventure for primary school-age children and a sing-along journey to Bethlehem for toddlers. Christmas Resources from Bible Society Weekly Advent Reflections from Bible Society The Advent Feast The Advent Feast is very loosely based on the Jewish Passover Meal, which is a wonderful example of how faith and teachings are kept alive in the family. This has enabled the Jews to hold onto their faith throughout even the most difficult of situations. As Christians we share their great inheritance, and the stories of the Scriptures are our own story too. One of the difficulties we have in western culture, is that often we only reflect on our faith when we are in religious settings such as in a Church. This has been a problem for us during the pandemic when church attendance has been so challenging. It would be helpful for us to return to a tradition of family celebrations which focus on the values and beliefs which are central to our lives. Drawing on these ideas, here is a format for an Advent Feast. It is first and foremost a family meal and not a religious service! It has elements to keep younger children happy but is intended to also be suitable for adults. The meal should be relaxed but have a sense of occasion and importance. All the instructions for how to put on the meal are included in the booklet. The Advent Feast - Booklet Mission Together resources from Missio - engaging and fun resources to help children keep Jesus at the heart of this exciting season. Resources are free to download and include scripture, prayer, craft activities and a call to action. Including Advent resources, digital advent calendar, Saint Nicholas resources, Epiphany resources. Mission Together CELEBRATE Trust The Advent 2025 Family Pack is now available to download from the charity's website. Filled with engaging activities, ways to pray, books to savour and films to enjoy, helping families, schools and parishes prepare this Advent for the Feast of the Nativity. Access Advent Pack Catholic Grandparents Association Bambinelli Sunday (Gaudete Sunday) - December 14 A Beautiful Advent Tradition, Bambinelli Sunday, Blessing the Christ Child. On the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, we light the pink candle on the Advent Wreath (hence the ‘pink candle’ Sunday). Rose vestments are worn to emphasise our joy that Christmas is near. Gaudete means “rejoice”. This day reminds us of the joy that is to come and serves, amid this season of penance, as a kind of “break” when we recall the hope we have because of the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. More information on Bambinelli Sunday Parishes Music and Video One Life Music - Full school Advent retreats These retreats are a wonderful way to prepare during this truly blessed time of expectant waiting. One day Advent retreat Online Advent Retreats Short times of prayer and song each weekday to celebrate the Season. Beginning on Monday 1 December through to Friday 19 December 2025: OPEN. for Advent Join Dan, Emily and thousands of children across the country as we celebrate LIVE the beautiful season of Advent, through prayer and song on Friday 5 December! This stream will will start at 11am and last for approximately 50 minutes: Advent 2025 OneLife Stream CJM Music - Advent Responsorial Psalms Advent is more than a season of waiting – it is a season of prayerful expectation and anticipation. Through the four weeks of Advent the readings and psalms express the two-fold nature of this profound sense of expectation. Responsorial Psalms for Advent Mustard Seeds - Advent Reflections Supporting the RE Curriculum in Catholic Schools. Advent Reflections: Four-part series exploring the Season of Advent in collaboration with CJM Music - Stay Awake / John the Baptist / Joy to the World / The Nativity Scene. Advent Reflections from Mustard Seeds New for 2025: Prophecy & Promise - Advent and Christmas Powerpoint/Video Package Each PowerPoint will unpack the relevant Advent/Christmas themes whilst covering key curriculum objectives. All resources are made in line with the Religious Education Directory. Prophecy & Promise Shalom World Shalom World has prepared resources this year for families in our diocese, parishes and around the world, with the theme of "Jesus good news to everyone”. We have created a Christmas page filled with 400+ hand-picked Christmas programs - inspiring talks, music, children’s stories, heart-warming shows and reflections for all ages. It is completely free for everyone - no pay walls, no ads, no subscription - simply a gift to help families experience Christ this season. Christian Music Ministries (CMM) Access a wealth of resources for Advent and Christmas, including videos, musicals and song collections. CMM website The Mark 10 Mission What is Advent? With The Mark 10 Mission. A video resource designed to help children pray, reflect and grow in faith. Christmas 2025 Religious Programming on the BBC Live worship, musical celebration, traditional carols and spiritual contemplation across the BBC. 2025 schedule Charitable Appeals Kenelm Youth Trust (KYT): Theology on Tap - Young Adults Social Action Supporting Our Community This December Throughout December, we’re focusing on reaching out to those in our local communities. On Wednesday 17 December, from 6–9pm, we’ll be joining the volunteers at the Tabor Living Project. This is a great opportunity to contribute to an inspiring initiative and learn more about the meaningful impact it has on the people it supports. Spaces are limited, so if you’d like to take part, please sign up here CAFOD Advent Appeal 2025 Don't wait this winter The violence in the Middle East has thrown lives into chaos. Many refugees flee conflict only to find themselves living in camps, in very basic shelters. Please help if you can. CAFOD Advent Appeal Pact BigGive campaign Between Tuesday 2 and Friday 12 December, the Pact (Prison Advice and Care Trust) BigGive campaign will allow you to double the difference your donation makes. Pact is a pioneering charity supporting people & families affected by imprisonment. Pact BigGive Friends of the Holy Land Christmas Appeal Friends of the Holy Land (FHL) is working to bring hope through practical support, emergency aid and prayer. We urgently need your help this Christmas to help Christian families in need. Sonia, a mum of five, was helped by FHL. She wanted to share her story with you: “The financial situation became so dire for my family that I was forced to stop taking my essential medication for six months. My health collapsed. I was overcome with a sense of hopelessness. The financial support I received from FHL wasn't just assistance, it was a life-saving intervention.” Find out more and donate to FHL Denis Hurley Association and the BigGive An appeal to support the Denis Hurley Centre, South Africa: The BigGive campaign for 2025 has begun! So now is the time when your donation to the work of the Denis Hurley Centre will be DOUBLED. Just use this link to make your donation online between now and 12noon on Tuesday 9 December. If you also click the box for Gift Aid a donation by you of £20 will become a contribution to the work of the Denis Hurley Centre of £45! That is almost 1,000 Rand – enough for the clinic at the DHC to provide life-saving healthcare to 10 patients. Not bad for the cost of a few cups of cappuccino. Our target is to raise £8,700 which is the cost of the running the DHC Clinic for one month. Of course, if we can exceed the target so much the better! For the past 11 years, the Denis Hurley Centre has been working in Durban, South Africa with homeless people and refugees. Vigilante protests in Durban in recent months have blocked patients from accessing Government hospitals which has seen the number of patients at the DHC clinic increase from an average of 2,000 per month to a shocking 3,400 in October! So you can see how valuable your donation will be. For more information about the DHC please visit our website Many thanks in advance for your support. The Denis Hurley Association was launched formally in 2012 at Archbishop’s House, Westminster, with the support of Cardinal Vincent Nichols. Archbishop Bernard Longley is a Patron. Denis Hurley BigGive Retreats Online Retreat with the Carmelite Friars, started Thursday 6 November Advent is more than a countdown. It’s an invitation - an ancient, sacred journey into the heart of God. This year, step into that journey with our seven-week online retreat: Journeying with the Christ Who Comes - Meditations on the Seven O Antiphons Each week, we’ll reflect on one of the O Antiphons - ancient titles of Christ like Wisdom, Key of David, and Emmanuel - guiding you into prayer, Scripture, and contemplative silence. This retreat is designed to:• Help you pray deeply, even in the busyness of life• Offer fresh insight into the living tradition of the Church• Lead you into the transformative presence of Christ Allow yourself to enter Advent as a season of encounter, not just activity. More information and register A Christmas Residential Retreat with the Carmelite Friars The God Who Cries, Friday 12 - Sunday 14 December, Oxford Discover a God Who Comes Close This Christmas, step away from the rush of the season and enter into a sacred space of silence, prayer, and contemplation. The God Who Cries retreat invites you to encounter God in the tender, transformative intimacy revealed in the Romances of St John of the Cross. In a peaceful Carmelite setting, you will explore the mystery of a God who comes to us, desires us, shares in our sorrows, and transforms our lives with love. Through guided talks, silent meditation, contemplative prayer, and reflective journaling, you will enter more deeply into the presence of the God who loves, suffers, and rejoices with us. More information and register Online Individually Guided Retreat (Advent) with the Jesuit Institute Sunday 7 - Thursday 11 December This four-day online retreat will offer you an opportunity to spend more time with God and listen to how God as at work in your life. It may help you to take stock of your life, help you make a significant decision perhaps or to simply align your life more closely with God’s purposes. Since this is an online retreat, you can take part from the comfort of your own home, or from a place of your choosing. More information and register Catholic Medical Association Advent Retreat To be held at Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy on Saturday 13 December, 10.30am to 6pm. A day of reflection to be led by Fr Joseph Evans (Opus Dei priest, author of 'When God hides' and chaplain of Grandpont house), helping us prepare spiritually for the coming of Christ at Christmas. The theme will be 'Advent as a time of healing and how medical practitioners, i.e. professional healers, can be healed themselves through it'. The Catholic Medical Association (CMA) is a charity supporting Catholic healthcare workers in their professional and spiritual lives. We welcome members from all healthcare roles and at every stage of their careers - from students to retirees. More information and register Manage Cookie Preferences