A video message of joyful hope centred on Jesus Christ - ‘the light which shines in the darkness’ - has been issued by The Church of England in Lancashire and the Diocesan website for Christmas 2025.

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In the video, available on YouTube and above and on the rest of the Diocesan social channels tomorrow, the Bishop of Burnley, Rt Rev. Dr Joe Kennedy, invites people across the County to visit their local church this festive season, to hear more about Jesus’ birth 2000+ years ago and why it matters today.

The message was filmed on location recently in a festive-looking Burnley town centre and also features a filmed interlude with some of the young choristers of Blackburn Cathedral, led by the Cathedral’s Director of Music, John Robinson. The choir members sing an extract from ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’.

In his message Bishop Joe says: “I’ve always loved Christmas lights. And as I record this Christmas message here in Burnley this evening, I’m surrounded by them. Whatever else these lights are doing, surely – above all else – they point us to Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas time.

“For Jesus is the light which shines in the darkness. Across two thousand years, and in our day too, billions of people have discovered that, in giving their lives to Jesus, their hopes are fulfilled and their fears are cast out.

“The best news we shall ever hear is that 2,000 years ago, at the birth of Jesus, the light overpowered the darkness. I invite you to look again at the Christmas lights, which point us to Jesus, the Light of the world – and to put your trust in him.

“And I invite you to experience the joy of Christmas at your local church community - where you will be warmly welcomed.”

Bishop Joe’s video message, edited and produced by Digital Media Officer, Kaitlyn Rose widely; on this website and via our Facebook, YouTube and X/Twitter accounts from, Friday December 19. 

A full video performance of the Cathedral choir, extracts of which feature in the message, has also been filmed and will be available to view on Christmas Eve on all the above channels.

Meanwhile – in a first for the Diocese – the senior clergy of the Diocese will also issue short video greetings to people in our parishes across Lancashire which are scheduled to appear across Christmas Day.

Rt Rev. Philip North, Bishop of Blackburn; Rt Rev. Dr Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster; Bishop Joe; The Venerable David Picken, Archdeacon of Lancaster and The Venerable Jane Atkinson, the new Archdeacon of Blackburn, will all appear.

Looking further ahead, there will also be a new year video message from Bishop Philip, anticipating the centenary of Blackburn Diocese and the exciting events taking place to mark across 2026 to mark the important moment. That message is scheduled for January 1, again across all the above channels. 

Ronnie Semley, December 2025