Church of England enters Christmas race for chart No 1

THE Church of England is releasing its first Christmas single, in an attempt to connect the public with “the story at the heart of Christmas”.

The single will be a new version of the carol In the Bleak Midwinter, sung by the professional ensemble from St Martin-in-the-fields, Trafalgar Square.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, said he was delighted “to be sharing this new carol as the national Church of England’s first ever Christmas single”.

Festive “trimmings” are wonderful, he added “but they are not the heart of Christmas. The only thing that makes Christmas perfect is Jesus.”

The single, which is released today, has been composed by Rebecca Dale. All royalties from digital streams and downloads will be donated to charity.