By Con McHugh

The Coventry Christmas Crib Dedication and Carol Service took place on the afternoon of Sunday 1 December 2024, the first Sunday of Advent, in Broadgate.

This year the crib was again overlooked by the two cathedrals, Lady Godiva and in front of the Big Wheel.

Canon Tom Farrell, Dean of Coventry & Nuneaton Deanery began the service with:

“Loving God, we come together once again. Joined as a deanery, a community of faith, we enter this Advent season and ask for your blessings as we dedicate this Crib. During this time of preparation, we open all the dark places in our lives to the healing light of Christ. Get ready our hearts this Advent, to be transformed by His love, so that we may walk in the light of Christ. Advent is divided into two parts. The first two weeks focus on the Second Coming of Christ. The third and fourth week, focus our attention on the first coming of Christ. God made man, the Word made flesh. This year, on Christmas Eve, we are invited for a special encounter with Jesus as we enter the 'door' of new Jubilee year. The theme of Jubilee 2025 is hope; the hope that comes from knowing we are loved by God, the hope we can bring to those most in need, and the hope we can bring to our common home, the earth. Through this time of reflection, remind us of God's actions past, present, and future.” 

Priests and Deacons from the Coventry & Nuneaton Deanery led the prayers, whilst children from Coventry Catholic schools led the singing of carols. The Knights of St Columba distributed copies of the service so everybody could join in with the prayers and carols.

After the Service, Canon Tom added: “The Catholic community are proud to sponsor this crib, which we hope will remind all those visiting the shops this Christmas of the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of Christ. Thank you to all those who continue to make this possible and to all those who turned up as a witness of their faith. We look forward to 2025 for the start of the Jubilee Year asking God to bless us and to be generous to people and creation.”

Coventry & Nuneaton Deanery

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