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.
Elton John's Rocketman for Lent; Young Worshipers and Climate Change; Nigeria's Oscars bid
Every Day Sounds That Make Us Happy; Dissappeared Christian and Black Church Domestic Abuse.
The Skipping Sikh; David Baddiel; Gospel Music
Archbishop of York; Nazir Afzal; Islamic Relief Worldwide
Faith and Kamala Harris; China's Uighar Minority; How to be a Refugee
Lichfield Cathedral Becomes Vaccination Hub; Martin Luther King Day and Sikh Devotional Music
President Trump, white supremacy and Christianity; Children of Catholic Priests; Christmas lights stay on
Religious News Review; Hospital Chaplain; Religion and Vaccine Scepticism
Hope, Devotional music, Cold water swimming
Bethlehem's quiet Christmas, Cardinal Pell's prison journal, Choir's Covid test
Indian farmers' strike; Lock-down Conversions; Christmas Lights at Durham Cathedral
The PC and the hijab; Minecraft Sunday School; National Grief Awareness Week at St Paul's Cathedral
Christmas Carols; Maradona; the Morality of Foreign Aid
Catholic IICSA Response; MuslimPro App; Zoom Choirs
Beirut Statue; Catholic Abuse Report; Who should get the vaccine first?
Remembrance in a pandemic; US Election; Living in Love and Faith
Bobby Ball's Faith; France and Islam; Labour Anti-semitism Report
COVID reflections; Pope Francis and civil partnerships; Bakery for refugees
Gordon Brown; Bishop of Liverpool; Martyrs Book
Amanda Khozi Mukwashi; IICSA reports on the Anglican Church; Jewish weddings
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