The Advent season, which begins today, sees Christians and others across the world prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Earth around 2000 years ago.
Advent also marks the official start of the year for many branches of the Church around the globe.
Specifically, the Diocese of Chichester is asking bishops, clergy and laity to provide a daily thought on the theme: "Lord in Your Mercy".
It's partly in light of Pope Francis' Holy Year of Mercy, which begins on December 8th until November 20th 2016, and also a reference to the birth of Jesus, who would go on to die and rise again to pay for the sins of humanity.
Rt Revd Dr Martin Warner, the Bishop of Chichester, told Premier: "We're going to embark on observing the Year of Mercy by opening a particular door, often a door which isn't normally used into a church or cathedral, and that open door becomes the sign of access to the mercy of God.
"The Bible is very clear that mercy is at the heart of the life of God. It's about compassion. It's about the bright life of truth which looks forensically at the reality of our hearts and minds and lives.
The Bishop also encouraged Christians to reach out to others in mercy: "All of us live in a neighbourhood, and perhaps asking ourselves who is there that I've never spoken to? Who is my neighbour, literally? And is this somebody that I perhaps ought to go and say hello to and say happy Christmas to?"
Listen to Premier's Hannah Tooley speaking to Rt Revd Dr Martin Warner here:
