Today’s carol is “Joy to the world”Shepherds, on a dark hillside outside the sleeping town, were the first to hear the joyful news of the birth of Jesus.A message of peace and joy for all, celebrated by a vast choir of angels and by carols in pubs and churches, homes and streets around the world.

9. 27 December: All is calm, all is bright

Comfort and Joy invites us to hear again the message of the angels – good news of God’s unfailing love for a world that is weary and hurting.

Taking inspiration from a traditional carol service, Comfort and Joy features weekly reflections throughout Advent, and daily reflections from Christmas day to the second of January, from Kate Bottley, Jonathan Bryan, Bob Chilcot, Martha Collison, Stephen Cottrell, Guli Francis-Dehqani, Chine McDonald, Sally Phillips and Justin Welby.

Beginning on Advent Sunday, each episode explores a Bible reading and a familiar carol, encouraging us to look with fresh eyes at how the timeless truth of Christmas might shape our lives in these extraordinary times.