Category: Factual & Arts TV; Radio 4; Radio 2; Radio 3
Date: 24.11.2005
Printable version
Thought-provoking, stimulating, mystical and musical - just some of the themes in 91Èȱ¬ Religion & Ethics' package of radio and television programmes for the festive season.
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Highlights of a rich and diverse selection include a unique behind-the-scenes film of Christmas preparations at York Minster; a broadcast of a miraculous phenomenon in Ireland and traditional Christmas services of worship and carols, for reflection and celebration at this special time of year.
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New for 91Èȱ¬ Radio 4 is A Light In Winter where presenter Trevor Barnes is given rare access to the awe-inspiring winter solstice celebration at Newgrange monument in Ireland, where - for a mere 17 minutes each year - the ancient tomb is flooded with sunlight.
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Barnes explores the power of Newgrange with archaeologist Dr Muiris O Sullivan; Director of the Newgrange Centre, Claire Tuffey; and the poet and philosopher, John O'Donohue.
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On 91Èȱ¬ Radio 2, Roger Royle travels to the Holy Land in the footsteps of Mary and Joseph in Nativity Journey.
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He visits King Herod's Palace; the cave where the angel spoke to the shepherds and the most holy site in Christianity - the shrine where Christ was born.
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91Èȱ¬ TWO presents CS Lewis: Beyond Narnia, a documentary-drama that tells the magical story of the extraordinary life and work of one of Britain's best-loved writers, Clive Staples Lewis, and explores the inspiration behind his masterpiece The Chronicles of Narnia.
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Also for 91Èȱ¬ TWO is York Minster at Christmas. For the first time in its history, the Minster has allowed the cameras to witness its preparations for the most anticipated celebrations of the year - a year which has been particularly significant with the inauguration of John Sentamu, the Church of England's first black archbishop.
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The programme follows the daily lives of people at the Cathedral, many of whom work in traditions that date back hundreds of years.
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Christmas would not be complete without long-running favourite Songs of Praise.
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Songs of Praise - The Christmas Big Sing presents a feast of traditional carols from the Royal Albert Hall, including the nation's top ten favourite carols.
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Joining presenters Aled Jones and Pam Rhodes are chart topping singer Katherine Jenkins and world famous classical soloist, Andrea Bocelli.
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The special message of Christmas is celebrated in a range of 91Èȱ¬ worship programmes.
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On Christmas Eve, Radio 4's sumptuous Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols marks the traditional start of Christmas for many listeners around the world.
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Broadcast live from the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge, this year's service will include John Tavener's Away in a Manger and traditional scripture readings.
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91Èȱ¬ TWO also joins the world-famous choir for Carols from King's. New and traditional carols are sung in the beautiful candlelit chapel, including O Little Town of Bethlehem and In The Bleak Midwinter.
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The first full mass of Christmas, Midnight Mass, is on Radio 4, led by the Rt Rev Arthur Roche, Bishop of Leeds, with the Choir of St Anne's Cathedral.
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Midnight Mass is also broadcast from Gloucester Cathedral on 91Èȱ¬ ONE. The service will be led by the Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Rev Michael Perham.
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Both Midnight Masses will feature renditions of popular carols, including Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and O Come All Ye Faithful.
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Christmas morning begins with Radio 4's Sunday at Christmas with presenters Roger Bolton and Jane Little contemplating the winning entries in the Reduced Nativity competition. How many listeners will have managed to tell the Christmas story in 30 seconds or less?
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Christmas Morning Service (Radio 4) comes from St Martin-in-the-Fields and reflects on the year's defining moments and how they connect with the birth of Christ, from the success of the Olympic bid to the horror of the London bombings.
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At the end of the day, Neil McGregor, Director of the British Museum, reflects on the mystery of the incarnation of Christ in Christmas Meditation while reflecting on one of the museum's most beautiful treasures, the Franks Casket.
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On Radio 2, a joyous edition of Good Morning Christmas sees presenter Don Maclean talking to Chris de Burgh about the personal strength he derives from his faith.
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Also for Radio 2 is Sunday Half Hour: Christmas at Canterbury with the Radio 2 Young Choristers of the Year singing popular carols. Readings will be given by actors Robert Bathurst (Cold Feet) and Barbara Flynn (Sea of Souls; The Marchioness Disaster).
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Belief (91Èȱ¬ Radio 3) returns with Joan Bakewell talking to artists and thinkers about what they believe and why.
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Guests include Muslim academic Tariq Ramadan; playwright David Greig; theologist Alister McGrath; children's campaigner Camila Batmanghelidjh and writer and performer, Tom Shakespeare.
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91Èȱ¬ ONE's Christmas Day Service, Stranger in the Manger, is broadcast live from Clifton Cathedral in Bristol.
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The cathedral choir will lead a thousand strong congregation in some atmospheric renditions of favourite carols and singer/songwriter Graham Kendrick sings his own thought-provoking song, Thorns in the Straw.
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Many of Britain's most picturesque and historically important churches owe their survival to a handful of enthusiasts who give their time and expertise free of charge.
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A new 12-part series, A Passion for Churches (91Èȱ¬ TWO) begins during Christmas week looking at the churches that rely on these individuals - from St Hywyn's Parish in North Wales to Rosslyn Chapel in Edinburgh.
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Finally, the Archbishop of Canterbury's New Year Message (91Èȱ¬ TWO; repeated 91Èȱ¬ ONE) sees Rowan Williams contemplate the year gone by and look forward to the challenges of the year to come.
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Notes to Editors
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Television
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Week 51
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Stranger in the Manger? (Advent services), Sunday 27 November-Sunday 18 December, 10.00-11.00am, 91Èȱ¬ ONE
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Week 52
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Stranger in the Manger? (Christmas Day service), 91Èȱ¬ ONE
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York Minster at Christmas, 91Èȱ¬ TWO
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Carols from King's, 91Èȱ¬ TWO
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Midnight Mass From Gloucester Cathedral, 91Èȱ¬ ONE
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Songs of Praise, 91Èȱ¬ ONE (repeated on 91Èȱ¬ TWO)
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A Passion For Churches, 91Èȱ¬ TWO
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C.S. Lewis: Beyond Narnia, 91Èȱ¬ TWO
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The Archbishop of Canterbury's New Year Message, 91Èȱ¬ TWO (repeated on 91Èȱ¬ ONE)
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Radio
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A Light in Winter, Monday 19 December, 8.30-9.00pm, Radio 4
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A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, Saturday 24 December, 3.00-4.30pm, Radio 4
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Nativity Journey, Saturday 24 December, 10.00-11.00pm, Radio 2
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Midnight Mass, Saturday 24 December, 11.15pm-12.30am, Radio 4
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Sunday at Christmas, Sunday 25 December, 6.35-7.55am, Radio 4
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Christmas Morning Service, Sunday 25 December, 9.00-10.00am, Radio 4
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Good Morning Christmas, Sunday 25 December, 7.00-9.00am, Radio 2
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Sunday Half Hour: Christmas at Canterbury, Sunday 25 December, 9.00-10.00pm, Radio 2
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Christmas Meditation, Sunday 25 December, 12.15-12.30am, Radio 4
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Belief, Monday 26 December, 9.30-10.00pm, Radio 3
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Belief, Tuesday 27 December, 9.30-10.00pm, Radio 3
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Belief, Wednesday 28 December, 9.05-9.35pm, Radio 3
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Belief, Thursday 29 December, 10.00-10.30pm, Radio 3
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Belief, Friday 30 December, 10.45-11.15pm, Radio 3.
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HH2
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