About this Event
At the heart of the Christmas story is a family forced to flee their home in search of safety. The flight of Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus into Egypt reminds us that displacement, exile and the search for refuge are woven into the Christian story itself.
Christ in the Stranger is a service of traditional lessons and carols that brings this often-overlooked dimension of the Nativity into focus, connecting the biblical story with the experiences of refugees today.
Organised by a coalition of Christians including Better Story, Just Love and Josh Asokan, the service will follow the familiar structure of Nine Lessons and Carols (or a shorter five-lesson format), interweaving scripture, traditional Christmas carols and contemporary refugee voices.
Each lesson will be rooted in a biblical passage and brought to life through a short reflection, testimony, poetry or musical performance, with refugee artists and storytellers alongside Christian leaders. Traditional carols, accompanied by strings and organ, would provide a beautiful and familiar musical setting.
Join us for a theologically rich and artistically compelling service: one that celebrates the hope of Christmas while inviting us to encounter the humanity, dignity and stories of those seeking sanctuary today.
Event venue & nearby stays
St James' Church, Islington, Prebend Street, London, United Kingdom
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