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.
The history of 'defrocking' and the story behind a 400-year-old missal
Islamophobia in Ireland; Executed Carmelite nuns; Church closures
Church of England safeguarding; Catholic synod; Vicar's pay
Hexham and Newcastle safeguarding review; conversion therapy; Franco and the Benedictines
Hajj bookings, Ukraine army chaplains, Jewish divorce
Chinese Muslims; Aid for Uganda, Northern Ireland schools
Child abuse, Ron DeSantis, Celebration Day
Church yard allotments, Myanmar cyclone, New caritas boss
Turkey election; Established church; St Francis of Assisi
Coronation Order of Service, Sudan Archbishop, God & Government report
Sri Lanka Easter Bombings; University Term Names; Windermere Children
16/04/2023
Muslim Hikers; Good Friday Agreement; Music in Church
Ramadan Recipes; Christian Nudists; Paul O'Grady and The Salvation Army
A decade of Justin Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury, Ramadan rules, Jewish housing
19/03/2023
Live from Rome on a decade of Pope Francis
Windsor Deal; Slave Trade and the Church of England; Oscar Contender
Attacks on refugees; Orthodoxy in Ukraine; school singing project
Ukraine's Religious Freedom Watchdog; Black Jesus; Champing
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