Advent Sheep Trail

The Sheep Trail pilgrimage at Christ Church Cathedral was organised by our former Dean’s Vicar, Rev. Abigail Sines and was held during the season of Advent. It was an invitation to all ages to make space for prayer and to prepare for the celebration of Christmas.

Each year, from Advent Sunday to Christmas Eve, the cathedral was home to a flock of mischievous hand-knitted sheep, let loose in the aisles and side chapels to guide our visitors on a pilgrimage trail.

The trail concluded at the crib display where visitors were invited to write down a prayer to leave in the crib. Some of the sheep were given away to school classes and other visitors to the trail.

21-22 December, 12.30 – 16.00

We normally have our adorable hand-knitted sheep with us inside the cathedral for the whole month of December but in 2021 we took our Advent Sheep Trail outdoors and our fun-loving sheep were on the loose in the cathedral grounds for two days!

Participants followed the trail as they read through the Christmas story and looked for the sheep named after Mary, Joseph and all the other characters. At the end they were invited to leave their own prayer in our outdoor crib display. This activity was free-or-charge.