Celebrating Christmas 2025: Love comes down

Lyn Woods reports on the territorial carol concert.

The International Staff Songsters sang ‘Love Came Down at Christmas’ and the International Staff Band played the crisp and cool ‘Winter’s Snow’ as the auditorium settled in for an evening of festive delights.

Territorial Leader Commissioner Jenine Main suggested that the sound of carols from a Salvation Army band is the start of Christmas for many and this year’s theme reminds us that it is a time to truly experience the love of God, who came to dwell among us.

The Salvation Army Big Band shared a jazzy rendition of ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’, followed by ‘Veni, Veni, Emmanuel’ from the ISS, combining ancient Latin with modern vibes.

• View photos on Facebook

Two Scripture readings from Owen Teale, and a third from fellow actor Sylvestra Le Touzel, were beautifully interwoven with drama from students of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. Their portrayal, which gave a modern twist on the Nativity, included an angel in a trench coat.

Guest soloist Kirsty King elegantly presented ‘Mary, Did You Know?’ and West End actor Rob Houchen delivered a powerful solo of ‘O Holy Night!’. Congregational carols included ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’, ‘Once in Royal David’s City and ‘Joy to the World!’.

The ISS brought the sweetly soothing ‘It Came Upon a Midnight Clear’ before the ISB brought ‘Carol of the Bells’.

Youth featured strongly across the evening. Seven young people from Clapton Dance Group gave an energetic and effortless display, in sparkly attire, to a modern version of ‘Troika’ from the Salvation Army Big Band. A video of youth outreach at St Ives Corps highlighted its skateboarding club. Laura Cole chatted with Commissioner Jenine about how the club is helping young people and showing God’s love to them.

A musical theatre group comprising young people from the Army performed ‘Seasons of Love’ from the musical Rent as a video of youth outreach work played. The song asks: how do you measure a year in the life?

Territorial Leader Commissioner Paul Main followed up on this in his message for the evening, asking: ‘What if we measured life through the lens of love?’ He recited Jeremiah 31:3, where God says: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’

Commissioner Paul continued: ‘When God’s love came down it brought light in the darkness, hope in despair and peace into our chaos.’

He urged the audience to receive and share God’s love this Christmas, to be present and notice the people around us, and to allow the love of Jesus to flow through us. He challenged us to measure our lives in love and ask ourselves: who can I show love to this Christmas?

Woman Angel and Tom Jesty gave a unique rendition of ‘Everlasting Love’. The ISB followed with ‘Caribbean Christmas’, featuring ‘Mary’s Boy Child’ and ‘The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy’.

The ISS as three magi entered the Nativity scene. The ISS concluded with the joyful ‘Let the World Sing Gloria’ and a final congregational carol ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’.

Commissioner Jenine gave a benediction and thanked everyone for a magnificent celebration of love coming down.