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 bible in BSL, the Rabbi and Kim Kardashian, and Rev Dr John Sentamu
Rumi: The Musical, Asylum seeker conversions, Mother-and-baby homes in Northern Ireland
Europe's Best Cathedrals, FW. De Klerk's faith, and could Joe Biden be banned from Communion?
Leonard Cohen's Spirituality; Is Faith Being Left Out Of COP 26?; St Cuthbert
Black Muslims, COP26, Divali
Last rites as an 'emergency service', Lebanon crisis, 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot'
Church crawls, Religious toys, Jewish Fringe Festival
Ben Fogle; Halal Student Finance; Day of the Scientist
03/10/2021
"Brown" Bouquets; Faith After The Pandemic; Deborah Feldman
Psalm 23 Garden, Sanctuary, Muslim Sibling Rivalry
Turban confusion, Jewish heritage, Hong Kong Christian activists
British Muslims views on Afghanistan, Vaccine inequity, The traditions of the Jewish New Year.
Religious minorities in Afghanistan, The rise and fall of Christian Ireland, George Harrison’s ‘My Sweet Lord’ 50 years on
Afghan refugee crisis; Women's rights under the Taliban; Cardinal Nichols on our moral responsibility for Afghanistan
Aretha Franklin influence, 'Conversion therapy' ban, Vaccine refusal among US evangelicals
08/08/2021
01/08/2021
25/07/2021
Women at Hajj; Football and Racism and Universal Credit
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