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.
11/07/2021
Manchester Jewish Museum; Fire Monks; Gardening
Fatima the Film; Tik Tok Anti-Semitism and Methodist Gay Marriage Vote
Smuggling bibles to China; Wedding backlog; President Biden and the Catholic Bishops
Climate Change Boat Relay; Faith and Football; Cult Survivor
06/06/2021
Cathedral Cycle Route; Gordon Browns Global Vaccine Plea and The Pagan Ceremony of 'Handfasting'
The Church's Role Post Covid; Gaza Ceasefire; G7 Choir
Songs of Grief and Hope; Contested Monuments; Mayflower Legacy
Arranged Marriages, Gavin Peacock, ‘Body and Soul’ workout with Mr Motivator
Pilgrimage; Segregated Education in Northern Ireland; An Emperor in Bath
100 Voices; Church of England's anti-racism strategy; Pilgrimage
'Music of the soul'; Faith and Forgiveness; Racism in the Church of England
The Duke of Edinburgh's Faith, Northern Ireland Violence, The Musical Human
Harry Connick Junior; Fiona Bruce, Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief and Sir David Suchet
Handel's Messiah; RE and the Cartoon Row; Sikh Domestic Abuse
"Witch" songs; The Ethics of Protest; LGBT+ Catholics
Strange Fruit; Prison during the Pandemic; Religion and the Census
A special programme to celebrate International Women's Day
Black Church Vaccine Push; Pope's Historic Visit to Iraq; Decorating Graves
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