King Charles has given his blessing to the movement behind carol ‘flash mobs’ which have brought festive cheer to towns and cities across Britain and Ireland.
The Shine your light The campaign encourages people from radically different church traditions to stage their carol concerts and Christmas gift giving events on high streets, shopping centers and town halls this weekend.
The King has sent his “warmest wishes” to all those taking part, describing how he admires the campaign’s efforts to bring different communities together. He has wished the participants every success.
Last year, more than 75,000 people from more than 700 churches attended. This year, the goal is for 100,000 people to bring Christmas lights to streets, offices, workplaces and beyond.
Support has come from across the political spectrum.
Labor MP Marsha de Cordova, who serves as second Church Estates Commissioner for the Church of England, said: “Thank you to everyone who has offered to host one of these events in their community. This year the joy and message of Christmas must be felt across the whole country.”
And Nigel Huddleston, co-chairman of the Conservative Party, said: “Christmas is almost upon us – and the sound of carols will be heard in churches across the country. But we were delighted to hear about Shine Your Light, a national campaign which seeks to take songs outside church buildings and sung in public places.
“It is believed that a million people will hear these carols in communities across the country as a result of Shine Your Light and church outreach.”
Jonathan Oloyede, convener of the National Day of Prayer and Worship who is leading the initiative, was delighted by the king’s words.
He said: “Seeing Christians publicly recognized for bringing the true message of Christmas to our communities by His Majesty the King is such an encouragement. We thank His Majesty for his gracious words and look forward to sharing with him the great stories of inspiration from the whole islands because many spread light, hope and joy everywhere.”
