The Salvation Army

Thousands attend launch of nationwide Christmas evangelistic campaign at Royal Albert Hall

A major evangelistic outreach for the Christmas season formally got underway this week at the Royal Albert Hall. 

Headlines

Burnout and isolation are common problems for Church of England clergy - report

Clergy described burnout, feelings of isolation, diminished morale, and ongoing financial strain.

Church of England

Samaritan’s Purse plane hijacked; suspect in custody

A Samaritan's Purse plane carrying aid to South Sudan was hijacked earlier this week. A suspect has been detained, and no serious injuries are being reported.

Samaritans Purse

Many Western Christians misunderstand the purpose of faith, says NT Wright

Instead of seeing Christianity as the story of God renewing the whole cosmos — Heaven and Earth united — they have been taught to think of salvation primarily as a private escape plan: the soul departing for Heaven when the body dies. 

Pastor Jeff Warren, NT Wright
Spotlight

The Christian story behind Trafalgar Square’s Christmas tree

Every year Norway gifts a giant Norwegian pine Christmas tree to the British people. Standing tall in Trafalgar Square, this year’s tree feels especially significant as the world marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War.

Trafalgar Square Norwegian Pine Christmas tree, Christmas, London at Christmas
YouVersion

Isaiah 41:10 is YouVersion's Bible verse of the year

Isaiah 41:10 had the highest international engagement on YouVersion during 2025, while in the UK it was Jeremiah 29:11 that topped the list.

Saint Nicholas, St Nicholas, Santa

The bishop who became Santa Claus

Everybody knows Santa Claus. But how many people know the inspiration for the jolly Father Christmas was in fact a bishop whose courage, generosity, and compassion shaped centuries of Christian practice?

Discovering Jesus

Evangelical Alliance updates Christian course for South Asian seekers

The Evangelical Alliance (EA) has announced the launch of a new set of resources aimed at introducing the gospel to people of South Asian heritage.

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
World
Samaritans Purse
Samaritan’s Purse plane hijacked; suspect in custody

A Samaritan's Purse plane carrying aid to South Sudan was hijacked earlier this week. A suspect has been detained, and no serious injuries are being reported.

Christian faith and health leaders from sub-Saharan Africa meeting in Nairobi on 27 November 2025. Photo: Fredrick Nzwili/WCC
African church leaders promote healthcare development

Following US aid cuts, African governments may need to take responsibility for their own people.

CSW’s Sudan Specialist Mohaned Elnour
Sudanese human rights activist assaulted in Newcastle

The assault happened outside Newcastle City Hall, said Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

Holy Family Catholic Church, Gaza
Gaza's Christians praying for a peaceful Christmas

Conditions remain tough for Gaza's Christians despite the ceasefire.

News
Trafalgar Square Norwegian Pine Christmas tree, Christmas, London at Christmas
The Christian story behind Trafalgar Square’s Christmas tree

Every year Norway gifts a giant Norwegian pine Christmas tree to the British people. Standing tall in Trafalgar Square, this year’s tree feels especially significant as the world marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War.

Looking in the fridge
Churches helping millions of Brits get by as living costs remain high

Across the country, people are looking to the church for help.

Exeter Cathedral
Churches across the UK are getting into the Christmas spirit

Cathedrals and churches across the UK are embracing Advent with a flurry of festive markets, carol services and community events.

Shine Your Light
Shine, Jesus, Shine remix launched for Christmas evangelism campaign

The project was divinely inspired, says the organiser

Holy Family Catholic Church, Gaza
Gaza's Christians praying for a peaceful Christmas

Conditions remain tough for Gaza's Christians despite the ceasefire.

Belfast
Abortion rises in Northern Ireland for fourth year running

Abortion was legalised in Northern Ireland in 2019.

Jennifer Melle
Suspended Christian nurse accuses nursing body of 'discrimination'

A Christian nurse suspended since April after refusing to use a transgender patient's preferred pronouns has accused the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) of "discrimination". 

Kyiv, Kiev, Ukraine
Concern over treatment of Orthodox Metropolitan in Ukraine

Real life is very rarely about the "goodies" and the "baddies".

Big School Assembly singalong
Shine Jesus Shine tops poll of favourite assembly hymns

The popular church song Shine Jesus Shine is also a hit at school assemblies, according to the findings of a Songs of Praise poll. 

Advent Calendar
The history of the Advent calendar

1 December is when many people open the first door on their Advent calendar. These are so common that few people realise it is a relatively modern tradition. This is the story …

Sydney, Australia, city
Cost of living tops list of concerns for young Australians in Christian survey

The annual survey by the national Christian charity shows a sharp and sustained shift in what matters most to young Australians.

thanksgiving, gratitude, thanks, thank you, grateful
On thanksgiving

Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster explains why thanksgiving is at the heart of Judaism. 

advent, christmas
What is Advent Sunday and why do churches mark it?

The fourth Sunday before Christmas is called Advent Sunday. It falls at the start of December, or sometimes as in 2025, at the end of November. In churches of many denominations, Advent marks the coming of the Christmas season. This is the story …

Tony Wales
Tony Wales: a man with an unrivalled knowledge of the worldwide publishing

Tony Wales, who passed away on 28 October, was co-founder of Lion Publishing with David and Pat Alexander. Julia Cameron pays tribute. 

Nicaea ecumenical service
Church leaders pray for unity in service marking 1,700 years since Council of Nicaea

An ecumenical service has been held by Christian leaders in Iznik, Turkey, to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.

Christmas
Church of England launches its biggest ever Christmas campaign

The Church of England's 'Joy of Christmas' campaign gets underway today, inviting people across the nation to "rediscover the hope and joy at the heart of the season". 

Sudan
Churches vandalized in Sudan with Islamic Shahadah written on walls

Two churches in Port Sudan were defaced in coordinated acts of vandalism, with Islamic declarations painted in red graffiti on their exterior walls. The incidents occurred last week in the center of the city’s market area.

Lewis Carroll letter found at Lincoln Cathedral
Correspondence from Alice in Wonderland author, Lewis Carroll, discovered in Lincoln Cathedral

The letter mentions a number of people who partially inspired scenes from Carroll’s most famous work, Alice in Wonderland.

Pope Leo
Papal visit to Middle East an encouragement to the region's remaining Christians

The Pope appealed for peace before departing Lebanon at the end of his first foreign papal trip.

Christingle service
Most people in Britain believe that Christmas has become too commercial

Many Brits want a return to tradition, a survey by the Children's Society has found.