Thousands register for Shine Your Light Christmas campaign

More than 42,000 Christians representing 360 churches have signed up to take part in the nationwide Christmas campaign Shine Your Light

Shine Your Light calls Christians to unite in towns, villages and cities this Christmas to take the message of Jesus outdoors this weekend (16 and 17 December).

Registrations have come in from all over the United Kingdom. 

Among those taking part include hundreds of flashmob style carol events, open air Christingle services and nativity events from the small to the large including some in Castles, country parks and housing estates.

A new advert has also launched this week so members of the public can join many of these Shine Your Light events through an online map.

Other events will take place around town halls, high streets and shopping centres as well as many other public places.

All of these events are solely focused on enabling the true message of Christmas to be heard by those outside the church. 

While it is acknowledged church attendance increases during the Christmas season, there will be many 'who will not darken the door of a church' say organisers. 

'Reaching across to these un-churched communities is at the heart of Shine Your Light.'

In this way every local church has been encouraged 'to be a Light to shine to brighten up the whole country like a Christmas tree.'

Calling on a renewal of the Christmas message for our communities, Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary of Churches Together in England, said'It’s been exciting to observe how ‘Shine Your Light’ has grown in just a matter of months to see the Christian Church sharing with their communities, the real message of Christmas. 

'This of course embodies the values of Churches Together in England, which helps the 54 member denominations across England to work together in unity. 

'A recent statistic, suggested that while 80 per cent of Brits celebrate Christmas, only 18 per cent know the real reason for the Season. 

'At Christmas time, many people find themselves spending money they don’t have on stuff they don’t need. I would suggest more precious is the message of God’s gift to the world in the person of Jesus Christ. The church is here to share that message.'


The Shine Your Light initiative is led by the National Day of Prayer and Worship in collaboration with many denominations and key ministries, including Baptists Together.

HOPE Together, Myriad, Premier Christian Radio, Redeemed Christian Church of God and the Evangelical Alliance are among others backing the campaign.  
 

Even if your Church, group or organisation already has something planned, (it might be in your church building), organisers would still love YOU to register your event for Shine Your Light.

This is to signpost people to your event if they enquire during the week leading up to the Shine Your Light weekend.

Visit www.shineyourlight.org.uk and share your plans.