Sydney Anglican Archbishop Glenn Davies will lead a Christmas Day service in Wollongong during a rare official venture outside the state's capital.
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The Archbishop traditionally spends Christmas at St Andrew's Cathedral in Sydney.
But this year he offered to give retiring Dean of Sydney, Phillip Jensen, the honour on the occasion of his final official sermon, and accepted an invitation to St Michael's in Wollongong.
Reverend Sandy Grant, senior minister at St Michael's, said churchgoers could expect a sermon based on the hymn The Magnificat (also known as the Song of Mary), and its theme of great things coming from a humble beginning.
Dr Davies recently led a packed service in Sydney aimed at helping the community come to terms with the Martin Place siege.
"[Dr] Davies is a great and encouraging preacher," Reverend Grant said. "I think he will really have a positive message in what's been a really troubled month and - in some ways - year. I'm just looking forward to a big breath of fresh air."
The Archbishop's Christmas Day service will start at St Michael's Anglican Cathedral at 9.30am. Retired Bishop Reg Piper will lead the church's early service - including Holy Communion - from 7.30am.
Reverend Grant will speak on Christmas Eve, his favourite service.
