‘Miracle child in stable condition’ could have been the headline in Bethlehem’s version of the Herts Advertiser more than two centuries ago.

It was a massive news story – except most people at the time did not know it and few understand its real meaning today.

It was nothing less than God being born among us in the form of a helpless child.

In a few short days, Christians will be celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Churches across the district invite you to join in the celebrations this Christmas time.

Revd Peter Crumpler

Curate, St Leonard’s Church, Sandridge

December 19

Dagnall Street Baptist Church, 12-1pm - Carols in the Cross Street Cafe; 6.30pm - traditional carol service followed by refreshments.

St Helen’s Church, Wheathampstead, 12 noon - Carol Service in your Lunch Hour (with refreshments to follow).

December 21

St Mary’s Church, Redbourn, 9.30am - Parish Eucharist with Nativity Presentation; 6.30pm - Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.

The Vineyard Church, St Albans, 9.30am and 11.30am - Christmas Guest Services

Marlborough Road Methodist Church, St Albans, 10.30am - All Age Worship - Creative Nativity

City Church, St Albans, 10.30am - Nativity Service; 7pm - Candlelight Carol Service

Hatfield Road Methodist Church, 7pm - Carol Service

Trinity URC, St Albans, 4pm - Carols and Tea at Trinity

Harpenden United Reformed Church, 6pm - Carols for All and Christingle Service

Homewood Road United Reformed Church, 6.30pm - Choir Carol Service

St John’s Harpenden, 6.30pm - Nine Lessons and Carols

All Saints Batford, East Harpenden and East Hyde, 6.30pm - A service of nine lessons and carols followed by mince pies and mulled wine.

Dagnall Street Baptist Church, St Albans, 6.30pm - Carol Service

Forest Town Church, St Albans, 10am - A Musical Christmas Celebration

St Stephen’s Church, 6.30pm - Christmas Carol Service

Living Waters International Christian Fellowship, Hatfield Road Methodist Church, 4-5pm - Gospel Celebration Service featuring an alternative seasonal play - Just A Prayer Away!

St Paul’s Church, St Albans, 10.30am - Altnernative Christmas Service; 6.30pm - Candlelit Carol Service

St Mark’s Church, St Albans, 7.30pm - Christmas Carol Service

St Helen’s Church, Wheathampstead, 7pm - Traditional service of readings and carols

St Luke’s Church, St Albans, 6.30pm - Traditional Carol Service

All Saints, Harpenden, 6.30pm - Nine Lessons and Carols followed by mulled wine and mince pies

St Nicholas, Harpenden, 6.30pm - Nine Lessons and Carols

Christ Church, St Albans, 6.30pm - All Age Carols by Candlelight

St Peter’s Parish Church, London Colney, 5pm - Carols by Candlelight

St Leonard’s Church, Sandridge, 6pm - Carols by Candlelight

Marlborough Road Methodist Church, 4pm - Christingle

Chiswell Green United Reformed Church, 6.30pm - Carol Service

Crabtree Church, Harpenden, 5pm - Carols by Candleligh

December 22

St Mary’s Church, Redbourn, 11.30pm - The First Eucharist of Christmas (Midnight Mass)

December 24

St Mary’s Church, Redbourn, 3.30pm and 4.30pm - Crib Service

St John’s Church, Radlett, 4.30pm - Crib Service

Christ Church, Radlett, 4pm - Crib Service; 6.30pm - Carols by Candlelight; 11.30pm - Midnight Communion service

The Vineyard Church St Albans, 5pm and 7pm - Carols by Candlelight

Marlborough Road Methodist Church, 7pm - Holy Communion

Hatfield Road Methodist Church, 11.15pm - Midnight Communion

Homewood Road United Reformed Church, 4pm - Crib Service; 11.30pm - Christmas Eve Midnight Service

St John’s Harpenden, 3pm and 5pm - Crib Service; 11.30pm - First Eucharist of Christmas (Midnight Mass)

All Saints Batford, East Harpenden and East Hyde, 4.30pm - Crib Service; 11.30pm - Midnight Mass

St Julian’s Church, St Albans, 4pm - Crib Service

St Stephen’s Church, St Albans, 4pm - Crib Service; 11.30pm - Midnight Mass with Holy Communion

St Peter’s Church, St Albans, 3pm - Crib Service; 6.30pm - Candlelit Carol Service; 11.30pm - Midnight Mass

St Paul’s Church, St Albans, 3.30pm and 5pm - Crib Service

SS Alban & Stephen Catholic Church, 5pm - First Mass of Christmas; 7pm - Family Mass; 9pm - Italian Mass; 11.30pm - Carols and Midnight Mass

St Albans Cathedral, 3pm - Crib Service; 5.30pm - Choral Evensong for Christmas; 11.30pm - Midnight Mass

St Mark’s Church, St Albans, 4pm - All-age Carol Service

St Helen’s Church, Wheathampstead, 3pm or 4.15pm - Crib Service; 11pm - Midnight Communion with Carols

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Harpenden, 9.15am - Mass; 5pm - Children’s Nativity Play; 11.30pm - Carol Singing; 12am - Midnight Mass

St Luke’s Church, St Albans, 11pm - Midnight Holy Communion Service

All Saints, Harpenden, 4.30pm - Crib Service; 11.30pm - Midnight Communion with Carols

St Nicholas, Harpenden, 3pm and 5pm - Crib Service; 11pm - Midnight Mass with Carols

Christ Church, St Albans, 3pm, Nativity Service; 11.30pm - Midnight Communion

St Saviour’s, St Albans, 11.30pm - Midnight Mass

St Peter’s Parish Church, London Colney, 4pm - Christingle and Crib Service; 11.30pm - Midnight Mass by Candlelight

St Leonard’s, Sandridge, 3pm and 5pm - Crib Service; 11.30pm - First Communion of Christmas

ChristChurch, Harpenden, 8.45-9.45pm - Christmas Eve Reflection

December 25

Dagnall Street Baptist Church, 10:15am - Christmas Day Family Service

St Mary’s Church, Redbourn, 8am - Holy Communion; 10am - All Age Christmas Eucharist; 12 noon - Holy Communion

St John’s Church, Radlett, 10am - Family Christmas Communion

Christ Church, Radlett, 8am, Christmas Communion; 10am - Family Christmas Communion

Marlborough Road Methodist Church, 10.30am - All Age Worship

City Church St Albans, 10:30am - Christmas Day Celebration

Hatfield Road Methodist Church, 10.30pm - Family Service For All Ages

Trinity URC, St Albans, 10am - Christmas Service

Harpenden United Reformed Church, 10am - Family Christmas Service

Homewood Road United Reformed Church, 10.30am - Christmas Day Family Worship

St John’s Harpenden, 8am, Christmas Said Eucharist; 9.30am - Christmas Parish Communion

Forest Town Church, St Albans, 10am - Christmas Day meeting for the whole family

Chiswell Green United Reformed Church, 9.30am - Family Christmas Day Service

St Julian’s Church, St Albans, 10am - Family Communion

St Stephen’s Church, 8am - Holy Communion; 10am - Family Communion

St Peter’s Church, St Albans, 9.30am - The Christmas Eucharist

St Paul’s Church, St Albans, 8am - Traditional Christmas Day Communion; 10.30am - Family Christmas Day Communion

SS Alban & Stephen Catholic Church. 8am, 9.30am and 11.30am - Masses

St Albans Cathedral, 8am - Eucharist with Carols; 9.30am - Parish Eucharist for Christmas Day; 11.15am - Matins for Christmas Day; 12.30pm - Eucharist

St Mark’s Church, Colney Heath, 8.30am and 10.30am - Christmas Day Services

St Peter’s Church, Wheathampstead, 11.15am - Christmas Celebration

St Helen’s Church, Wheathampstead, 8am - Holy Communion; 9:30am - Christmas Celebration with Communion

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Harpenden, 8.30am, 9.45am, 11.30am - Masses

St Luke’s Church, St Albans, 10am - All Age Christmas Day Celebration with Holy Communion

All Saints, Harpenden, 10.30am - Worship Service with Holy Communion and Carols

St Nicholas, Harpenden, 8am - Holy Communion; 9.30am - Eucharist; 11.30am - Morning Praise with Carols

Christ Church, St Albans, 10.40am - Christmas Day Celebration

St Saviour’s, St Albans, 9.30am - Eucharist with Carols

St Peter’s Parish Church, London Colney, 10am - Christmas Family Eucharist

St Leonard’s, Sandridge, 10am - All age celebration

Roundwood Park School, Harpenden, 10am - Christmas Day Family Service