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Last December, thousands of churches extended ‘The Great Invitation’ from the Church of England to Follow the Star to their local church in person once again. Helped, of course, by a return to a more normal Christmas, 2022’s Follow the Star saw significant growth in engagement across a wide range of indicators on social media and sign ups to reflections.As we did last year with The Great Invitation, we’re also developing brand-new resources and ideas which can be used alongside branding from previous years.This year’s theme – Follow the Star: Join the Song – highlights how singing can help draw us closer to God and each other through the journey from Advent to Epiphany.The storyThe shepherds went back,singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen;it had been just as the angel had told them.- Luke 2.20 (GNB)In the story of the first Christmas, the shepherds are astonished to find the night sky filled with countless voices singing God’s praise.Amazed as they are, the shepherds take up angel’s invitation and hurry to Bethlehem. And it isn’t long before the shepherds are singing, too, praising God and sharing the good news of Jesus’ birth.Centuries later, singing is still central to how millions of people celebrate the good news of Christmas. Singing and hearing carols can enable people of all ages to get in touch with the wonder and the truth of the Christmas story.
