Edward Stourton presents a special Christmas Eve edition of Sunday, featuring live carols from Manchester Chamber Choir.
On Christmas Eve in 1223, in cave near the cliffside village of Greccio in Italy, St Francis of Assisi created what's thought to be the first nativity scene. It was staged for the local villagers and it was a 'living scene' featuring people and animals. Colm Flynn reports from Greccio, and the art historian Dr Geri Parlby explores the nativity scene’s fascinating story and enduring appeal.
There will be no Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem this year. Shaimaa Khalil reports from the birthplace of Jesus. Rev Dr Munther Isaac, Dean of Bethlehem Bible College, has created a nativity scene in his church directly inspired by the suffering endured as a result of the Israel-Gaza conflict. He reflects on it with Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner.
Carol singing is another much-loved tradition at this time of year. But how many of us have really thought about where our favourite carols come from? The composer and conductor Andrew Gant traces the weird and wonderful history of our carol tradition in his book "Deck The Hall". He says, “it can be a bit like trying to sweep up all the stray pine needles when you’ve taken down your Christmas tree: there’s always a corner you find you haven’t reached.”
Producers: Dan Tierney and Alexa Good Editor: Helen Grady.
Church Bucket List; Survivors Redress Scheme; Jewish Time Capsule
Manchester Camerata ; Cardinal Vincent Nicholls and Baptism Error
Leroy Logan; Prayer Wall; Witches Pardon
Wedding law review, ‘Celebration Earth’, the ‘Holy Blood of Hailes’
Andy Burnham, Jonathan Sacks and others celebrate Sunday's 50 birthday.
Medieval Sacristy revealed; The Good Childhood Report; Climate Change Protest
Jewish Spell Book; Detained Sikh; Education Bishop
Britain's Pilgrim Places; Church of England Safeguarding Concerns; Gong Baths
John Hume remembered, Women in Top Vatican Jobs, Yoga therapy
Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki 75 years on; Sheffield Cathedral Choir; Hajj in lockdown
Bishop Michael Curry; Sudan; Westminster Abbey Financial Crisis
Church Finance Crisis; Islam Campus Report; Methodism & Racism
Greyfriars Bobby; Jehovah's Witness; the New Archbishop of York
Cycling Sisters; Leicester in Lockdown; Children's Mental Health
Hajj, Russian Jews and Weddings are back.
The Journey App, Rowan Williams, Black Jews
Post Office IT dispute, Carers week; Places of worship reopening.
Young Black UK Voices; President Trump's Evangelicals; Hagia Sofia
DJ Chaplain; Vatican's Covid-19 Commission; Prayers in the parking lot
George Floyd death reaction, Sikh representation row, ‘Most popular hymn of hope’
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