Archbishop Justin Welby switches on Christmas lights at Lambeth Palace

13/11/2018

Lambeth Palace was lit up with giant stars tonight as churches prepare for the Church of England #FollowTheStar Christmas campaign. 

Justin Welby and the Community of St Anselm with the Lambeth Palace Christmas lights

Lambeth Palace was transformed this evening as the whole front of the building was lit up with giant stars.

The 糖心logo led the event, which is part of this year鈥檚 #FollowTheStar Christmas campaign from the Church of England.

The campaign is aimed at encouraging people into their local church over the Christmas period. Thousands of services and events will be taking place in Church of England churches all over the country in the run up to Christmas.

On Friday 21st December, churches nationwide will display stars on or outside buildings and illuminate them as part of a 鈥榥ight of the stars鈥 with special free events planned at Canterbury and Durham Cathedrals.

Justin Welby and the Community of St Anselm with the Lambeth Palace Christmas lights

Introducing the campaign, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York said: 鈥淲herever you are this Christmas, you are invited to follow the star and to be with Jesus. #FollowTheStar doesn鈥檛 ask you to be perfect. It says: come just as you are to take the life-changing Christmas journey. You are welcome. You are deeply known and truly loved.鈥

Speaking at the event tonight, Archbishop Justin Welby said: 鈥淐hristmas is going to be all kinds of things to all kinds of people. For some it鈥檚 a wonderful time 鈥 family, noise, friends and fun. For others it鈥檚 isolated, for others there are arguments, it just varies widely.

鈥#FollowTheStar is celebrating the fact that at the centre of Christmas it is Jesus 鈥 who brings joy, healing hope and love, whatever situation you are in 鈥 and inviting others to share in that love.

鈥淧erhaps for anyone who is a Christian, you might think this Christmas about inviting someone to come to church with you and find out a little more about Jesus. Church and a meal would be even better!鈥

To find out more about the Church of England's #FollowTheStar Christmas campaign, visit: 

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