During his Christmas Day sermon, the Archbishop of York highlighted the need for actions over words – as he spoke at a challenging time for the Church of England.

Stephen Cottrell will effectively become temporary leader of the church next month in place of the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, but he has also faced calls to resign.

Mr Cottrell admitted earlier this week things “could have been handled differently” after revelations a priest at the centre of a sexual abuse case was twice reappointed under him while he was a bishop of Chelmsford.

But a spokeswoman for Mr Cottrell said no one advised him at the time that David Tudor should not continue.

With Mr Welby out of public view this Christmas and not delivering the Christmas Day sermon, focus shifted to Mr Cottrell’s at York Minster.

He said the Church must “kneel in penitence and adoration” and “be changed”, adding the needs of others – including victims of abuse and exploitation – must be put first.

“Right now, this Christmas, God’s Church itself needs to come again to the manger and strip off her finery and kneel in penitence and adoration. And be changed,” he said.

“At the centre of the Christmas story is a tiny, vulnerable child; a child that Herod’s furious wrath will seek to destroy, for like every tyrant Herod cannot abide a rival.

“And I believe that the Church of England – the Church of England I love and serve – needs simply to look at this vulnerable child, at this emptying out of power to demonstrate the power of love, for it is in this tiny, vulnerable child that we are invited to see God.

“If you’re in love, show me. If you have love in your hearts, embody and demonstrate that love by what you do.

“This is what we learn at the manger in Bethlehem. To put the needs of others first – those who are cold and hungry this Christmas.

“Those who are victims of abuse and exploitation. Those who, like the little holy family, have to flee oppression and seek refuge in a foreign land.”

You can watch the sermon back in full below and read the full story here…

Watch: Royals greet Christmas crowds at Sandringham

The long wait for royal fans queueing at Sandringham for a glimpse of the King and his family finally came to an end in the past hour.

Watch the video below as they worked their way through huge crowds of supporters…

Royal megafan who was first to queue ‘on top of the world’ after meeting Kate

Among the crowds at Sandringham today, the first to queue up was John Loughrey, who arrived at the King’s Norfolk estate at 7.30pm last night – see our posts at 7.44am and 8.51am.

He came from Wandsworth in south London with flowers and some badges tied to a message of support for Kate, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

And he’s just told our royal correspondent Laura Bundock it was all worth it after he managed to speak to both the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children.

“I’m on top of the world,” he said.

“I told Catherine she was an inspiration. She said thank you, and said she liked my badges.”

Podcast: The Royal Year – Prince William and Kate

In this podcast miniseries, Niall Paterson and royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills chart a remarkable year for the Royal Family.

Our second episode looks at heir to the throne Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales. Niall and Rhiannon discuss the frenzy leading up to Kate’s cancer diagnosis, and the family’s reaction to it.

Plus, how is William redefining the way he wants to do royalty – and how does that shape up for his future as King?

Listen to Sky News Daily on your podcast app

Gifts for George, Louis and Charlotte

Supporters among the crowd at Sandringham have certainly come bearing gifts, with many brought specifically for Kate – see our 12.01pm post.

Her children have also been on the receiving end, with Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte seen holding teddy bears and flowers as the royals greet huge crowds at the King’s estate in Norfolk.

Pope calls for Ukraine war talks in Christmas Day address

During his Christmas message delivered in the past hour, Pope Francis called for talks between Ukraine and Russia to end the war launched by Moscow.

In his Urbi et Orbi address from St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, the Pope addressed the Ukraine conflict directly and called for the “boldness needed to open the door to negotiation”.

“May the sound of arms be silenced in war-torn Ukraine,” he said.

The Pope was criticised by Ukrainian officials earlier this year when he said the country should have the courage of the “white flag” to negotiate an end to the war.

You can catch up on the address in the video below…

Kate ‘laden’ with flowers gifted by supporters

Kate is making her way through the crowds of well-wishers outside the church in Sandringham, many of whom came to support her at the end of a tough year.

The Princess of Wales, who is recovering from a cancer diagnosis, has been “laden down” by bouquets handed to her by people from the crowd, our team tells us, among other gifts.

Our royal correspondent Laura Bundock says: “I think the majority of people here will say that Catherine was the person they wanted to see.

“I think, having seen so little of her, especially this year, she’s always the one the real royal fans want to meet.”

Royals greet huge crowds gathered at Sandringham

The Royal Family is now mingling among the huge crowds of fans who have been gathered outside St Mary Magdalene Church all morning – with some waiting far longer.

Many have told us they wanted to show support for the King, who was diagnosed with cancer this year.

Some in the crowd today have come from across the country to be here today, with one we spoke to making their way from Australia.

But some had a much shorter trip today, as William asked one where they had come from and was told “just down the road”.

You can watch them now in the live stream above.

Princess Beatrice at Sandringham as father Andrew absent

As we reported earlier, Prince Andrew was absent at Sandringham as the Royal Family arrived minutes ago.

The Duke of York, who has been dogged by links to an alleged Chinese spy, had joined the family at church for the last two years in a row.

Instead, the 64-year-old is said to be preparing to spend Christmas Day with his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York this year.

They’re expected to spend the day at Royal Lodge, the home they share in Windsor Great Park, in Berkshire.

His daughter Princess Beatrice is there at Sandringham now.

Watch: Moment royals arrive for Christmas service

The King and his family have arrived at the Christmas service at Sandringham.