91Èȱ¬

Claire McCollum explores Beamish open air museum near Durham. She helps the chief sweet-maker, Callum, to make festive boiled sweets using the exact same method from the Edwardian era. She also meets Rhiannon Hiles, deputy director of the museum, to hear about the vision and purpose of Beamish, to learn about more Edwardian Christmas traditions and to hear how church was central to communities at that time.

JB Gill travels to Wiltshire to meet Jonathan Bryan – an extraordinary young Christian who is telling his story against all odds. Jonathan, 13, has severe cerebral palsy and is only able to move his eyes – and yet by picking letters from a special board with the movements of his pupils he is able to communicate and has even written his autobiography. He wanted to tell the world about his life and his faith in Jesus. JB finds out why Christmas is especially important to Jonathan.

In the Bleak Midwinter

Near the Beamish Christmas Bazaar, Claire meets Rev. Dr Rachel Mann who has spent years researching and writing about Christian poet Christina Rossetti. Rossetti is most famous for writing the words to "In the Bleak Midwinter which was put to music in the Edwardian era after her death. Rachel explains to Claire the profound meaning of the words.

Pop star Rick Astley introduces his special performance of "When a Child is Born".

Edwardian Christmas part 2

Rosie Nichols is Keeper of Social History at Beamish – she meets Claire in one of the perfectly recreated pit cottages and tell her that although the cottage was cramped and there was a great disparity between rich and poor in Edwardian times – the pit families would have actually enjoyed a good Christmas celebration. She also shares her own faith with Claire and why Christmas is special to her.