A Christmas message from the Dean of Norwich

The Dean of Norwich, the Very Revd Dr Andrew Braddock, shares a message for Christmas.

Watch the video message above and read the full text below.

"In these weeks before Christmas, the Cathedral is delighted to welcome many thousands of visitors and pilgrims.

Some will be coming to special charity services and events, others to Christmas concerts, others again, to the Cathedral's own special carol services.

Some will be coming simply to enjoy the peace and atmosphere of the Cathedral at Christmas.

Behind the scenes, Cathedral staff and volunteers, musicians and clergy are working hard to make sure that all who come to the Cathedral experience a warm, seasonal welcome.

That theme of welcome and hospitality is very much at the heart of the story of the first Christmas.

We hear of Mary and Joseph travelling up to Bethlehem, reliant on the hospitality of an innkeeper, to find shelter, even if it is the rudimentary shelter of a stable.

And then after the birth of Jesus, we hear of shepherds going to Bethlehem to add their welcome to the Christ child.

And then there are Mary and Joseph themselves, opening their lives and their hearts to welcome Jesus in.

In these days leading up to Christmas, many of us will be aware of visiting friends and relatives and neighbours. For some, this season may enhance their own sense of isolation and loneliness.

These are things we need to be sensitive to. Not least because in the Christmas story, we see God coming into the world in Jesus to invite us to take our place in God's family.

In Jesus, God welcomes us home and invites us to welcome His love into our hearts.

As we do that this Christmas, so we're invited then to share that love with those around us so that the joy and peace of Christmas may be made real, and that we may welcome the Christ child in welcoming one another.