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.
Power of religion at Cop28; Shane McGowan's Catholicism; Near-death experiences
Same sex church blessings; Religion in Dr Who; Antonio Banderas on playing King Herod
Same Sex Blessings in the Church of England
Interfaith relations and Israel-Hamas war; The Bard and the Bible; Hindu ante-natal rituals
Use of scripture in war rhetoric & Church of England same-sex blessings
29/10/2023
The Israel-Hamas conflict and its repercussions in the UK
15/10/2023
Violence in the Middle East
Politics and the Lords Spiritual; The Venerable Bede; Spirituality of Sycamore Gap
Pope in Marseille; Khalistan; Definition of Islamophobia
Libya floods, pilgrimage to the city of Uman, racial injustice in the church
British Imams "whitewashing" the actions of the Taliban
Reconciling sex work with faith
The Catholic seal of confession
Hawaii Fires; Jehovah's Witnesses; the Vicar of Moscow
06/08/2023
30/07/2023
Oppenheimer, Manipur, The Sixth Commandment
Soul Survivor; 'Our Problematic Father'; White Privilege
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