The 麻豆社 will showcase a vibrant range of festive programming across television and radio this Christmas. Our content will include live worship, musical celebration, traditional carols and spiritual contemplation.
In the third series of My Life at Christmas, Countryfile and Woman鈥檚 Hour presenter Anita Rani will meet two of Britain鈥檚 best-loved actors, Dame Sheila Hancock and Rudolph Walker, as well as TV personality and podcaster Spencer Matthews. The three-part series will explore how their festive memories and traditions reflect their lives, careers, family and faith.
麻豆社 One Christmas religion programming continues with Midnight Mass, broadcast live from St Mary鈥檚 Church, Warwick. On Christmas Morning the wonder and joy of the Nativity will be celebrated live from the historic splendour of Halifax Minster. In the evening, Kate Garraway narrates the story of the first Christmas as the day draws to a close.
Songs of Praise will also deliver a rich selection of programming this festive season, including 麻豆社 Young Chorister Of The Year, A Christmas Celebration from Huddersfield Town Hall and Songs of Praise: Candlelit Christmas.
麻豆社 Two鈥檚 Carols from King鈥檚 will take viewers into the candlelit Chapel of King鈥檚 College, Cambridge for this much anticipated annual celebration of the Christmas story, told through music, readings and prayer.
CBeebies鈥� popular programme Time for School brings younger viewers a special seasonal episode.
There will also be a range of special programming across 麻豆社 Radio. Radio 4 will offer moments of reflection and contemplation with festive editions of Prayer for the Day and Daily Services, as well as opportunities for worship, including a special Christmas Day service with the Salvation Army.
Listeners can join the Revd. Kate Bottley on Radio 2 for a special Christmas morning mix of music and messages. Music lovers also have plenty to look forward to on Radio 3, including the best choral music from across the UK, a special seasonal series of Essential Classics, and an exploration of the musical history of Notre-Dame.
1Xtra鈥檚 Swarzy Shire and Jeremiah Asiamah will wake up listeners on Christmas morning with an uplifting 3 hour celebration of gospel music and listeners around the world can join A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on the World Service.
In addition, there will be further special programming across 麻豆社 Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and on local radio. Highlights include 麻豆社 Scotland鈥檚 Watchnight programme, Christmas Celebration 2024, from Holy Trinity Church in St Andrews; 麻豆社 Radio Ulster/Foyle welcoming in the festive season with a host of special programmes over Christmas and the New Year in Northern Ireland; and, in Wales, Advent Sunday will see Caniadaeth y Cysegr - the Welsh language series - celebrating hymn singing since 1942. In addition, all 39 local radio stations will broadcast a special service on Christmas day as well as Keeping the Faith at Christmas, presented by Si King from the Hairy Bikers.
Daisy Scalchi, Head of Religion and Ethics, 麻豆社 Television says: 鈥淭his Christmas we have a dynamic range of programming to bring festive cheer and contemplation to people across the nation. I hope viewers are brought together by the live worship, carols, spiritual reflection and musical celebration we have on offer as we celebrate Christmas and look forward to the year ahead.鈥�
Tim Pemberton, Head of Religion and Ethics, 麻豆社 Radio says: 鈥淭his Christmas, 麻豆社 Radio will be bringing listeners together for moments of celebration, worship and reflection. It鈥檚 a very special season of programming, and I hope listeners will find much to entertain, uplift and inspire.鈥�
EDA/CH
TV and 麻豆社 iPlayer
麻豆社 One
My Life At Christmas
- Ep 1 - Dame Sheila Hancock - Sunday 1 December
- Ep 2 - Rudolph Walker - Sunday 8 December
- Ep 3 - Spencer Matthews - Sunday 15 December
My Life at Christmas is back for a third year running with a new presenter for 2024 - Countryfile and Woman鈥檚 Hour presenter Anita Rani.
In each episode of this three part series, Anita will talk to a well-known guest to discover what makes Christmas special for them, and how it鈥檚 been a marker for memorable moments in their careers, family life and faith. This year her guests include two of Britain鈥檚 best-loved actors - Dame Sheila Hancock and Rudolph Walker, familiar to millions as Patrick Trueman in EastEnders; and also TV personality and podcaster Spencer Matthews.
Over the course of each programme we'll see how Christmas is a time to reflect as each guest shares what brings them joy, meaning and purpose. And we might even find out what鈥檚 on their Christmas wish lists this year鈥�
As always, there鈥檒l be surprise messages and moments of fun, making My Life at Christmas the perfect countdown to Christmas 2024.
My Life at Christmas is a Big Circus Production (3 x 60 mins) for 麻豆社 One and 麻豆社 iPlayer. It was commissioned by Rob Unsworth as Head of Daytime. The Executive Producers for Big Circus are Gareth Collett, Matt Baker and Elliot Falk and the Commissioning Editor for the 麻豆社 is Daisy Scalchi, Head of Commissioning, Religion and Ethics.
Songs of Praise
Songs of Praise: 麻豆社 Young Chorister Of The Year
Sunday 1 December
On the first Sunday of Advent, Aled Jones and the Rev. Kate Bottley host the final of 麻豆社 Young Chorister Of The Year with judges Katherine Jenkins, Bob Chilcott and Yolanda Brown, with the previous two programmes available on iPlayer.
Songs of Praise: A Christmas Celebration from Huddersfield Town Hall
Sunday 15 December
Aled Jones hosts a spectacular celebration of carols from the historic Huddersfield Town Hall with guests including West End star Marisha Wallace and Huddersfield Choral Society.
Songs of Praise: Candlelit Christmas
Sunday 22 December
Aled Jones is back to welcome you to an intimate candlelit celebration of favourite carols with guests Katherine Jenkins, and the 麻豆社 Young Choristers of the Year, from the village church of Croston.
Midnight Mass From St Mary鈥檚 Church, Warwick
Tuesday 24 December
The traditional Christmas Eve service and Blessing of the Crib live from the Collegiate Church of St Mary鈥檚, Warwick.
The service will be introduced and led by the Rector of St Mary's, the Revd Canon Angus Aagaard, with a sermon from the Rt Revd Martin Gordon, the Bishop of Goma, who is visiting from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Director of Music, Oliver Hancock, will lead the St Mary鈥檚 Choir. Music will include the well-loved carols O Little Town of Bethlehem, It Came Upon The Midnight Clear and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and O Come All Ye Faithful.
Christmas Morning Service From Halifax Minster
Wednesday 25 December
A traditional Yorkshire Christmas, celebrating the wonder and joy of the Nativity, live from the historic splendour of Halifax Minster. The minster choir, accompanied by the famous Hammonds Brass Band, will lead the congregation with a host of well-loved carols, including a special arrangement of While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks to the old Yorkshire folk tune - On Ilkley Moor Baht'at - one of the earliest tunes for this carol. The service will be led by the Vicar of Halifax Minster, the Revd Canon Hilary Barber, who will bless a 'live crib' of animals, mother and child. The Bishop of Huddersfield, the Rt Revd Smitha Prasadam, will tell of the hope of the Christmas story in her sermon.
On Christmas Night
Wednesday 25 December
As Christmas Day draws to a close, Kate Garraway narrates the story of the first Christmas from Luke's Gospel, when angels appeared to shepherds to proclaim the news of Jesus鈥檚 birth followed by a choral musical performance.
麻豆社 Two
Carols From King鈥檚
Tuesday 24 December
The candlelit Chapel of King鈥檚 College, Cambridge is the stunning setting for this much anticipated annual celebration of the Christmas story, told through music, readings and prayer with an invited congregation of college members and guests. This year marks the seventieth anniversary of the first carol service being broadcast.
Led by the Dean, the Revd Dr Stephen Cherry, the programme begins in the time-honoured way as a solo chorister sings the first verse of Once in Royal David's City, just as it did in 1954. The world renowned choir, directed by Daniel Hyde, sings carols old and new, including O Holy Night (arr. John E West), Nativity Carol (arr. John Rutter), Nowell, Nowell, Nowell (Elizabeth Maconchy) and Ave Maris Stella (Edvard Grieg). The choir leads the congregation in popular carols, including O Come All Ye Faithful, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. The story of the Nativity is read by members of King鈥檚 College in the words of the King James Bible and in poems by Christina Rossetti, Edwin Muir and G K Chesterton.
CBeebies
Time for School
Sunday 1 December
It鈥檚 Time for School this Christmas as the hit CBeebies observational documentary show returns with its seasonal special on Sunday 1 December.
Following a class of reception children as they start school for the very first time, the Christmas special features the build-up and performance of the classic Nativity Play. Time for School is made by Sixth Sense Media for CBeebies. Sallyann Keizer is the Executive Producer.
Radio and 麻豆社 Sounds
Radio 1Xtra
1Xtra Gospel Christmas with Swarzy Shire & Jeremiah Asiamah
Wednesday 25 December, 7am-10am
Swarzy and Jeremiah will bring the best uplifting gospel music to wake up the nation in this 3 hour celebration of Christmas. From classic soulful hits to carols to Afrobeats they鈥檒l play a whole range of their gospel favourites. Swarzy and Jerry chat to some of the biggest gospel stars - from US legend Israel Houghton, Evvie McKinney and Ryan Ofei to UK artists like Annatoria and Manchester based group Warehouse Worship, plus they鈥檒l feature Volney Morgan and New Ye and UK rapper Still Shadey who have recorded music especially for the show.
Producer: Miriam Williamson for 麻豆社 Audio North
Radio 2
Christmas Carols with the Revd Kate Bottley
Sunday 22 December, 5-6am
The Reverend Kate Bottley hosts this joyful selection of many of our most popular Christmas carols, including tracks by Johnny Cash, Elvis, Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton, Annie Lennox and the Choir of King's College Cambridge.
A specially-recorded, soulful and upbeat version of The Holly and the Ivy is performed by Lauren Housley and the Northern Cowboys, and Sam Evans - who hit the headlines in the summer after winning the opportunity to perform a set at Glastonbury festival - sings a simple acoustic version of Go Tell It On The Mountain.
Kate Rusby's Sweet Bells features as one of our most ancient carols, while gospel star Sarah Teibo sings a relatively recent composition, Norwegian Pine, which is a tribute to the friendship between Norway and the UK and their annual gift of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree; and Carrie Underwood is joined by her young son, Isaiah, on a beautiful duet of Little Drummer Boy.
Other tracks include Joy To The World, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, We Three Kings, I Saw Three Ships, Silent Night, Oh Holy Night, While Shepherds Watched, Oh Come All Ye Faithful and more.
Presenter: Revd Kate Bottley
Producer: Hilary Robinson
A Strauss House production.
麻豆社 Young Chorister of the Year
Wednesday 25 December, 4am-6am
Aled Jones and Radio 2鈥檚 Good Morning Sunday co-presenter, Reverend Kate Bottley, host the 麻豆社 Young Chorister of the Year 2024 final. Recorded at Halle St Peter鈥檚 in Manchester, ten talented hopefuls have sung in the heats and, from five junior and five senior choristers, six were chosen for this festive final. There鈥檚 a real treat in store, with music selected by the choristers to capture the spirit of Christmas 鈥� with the highest scoring singer from the junior and senior sections receiving a trophy and the coveted title of 麻豆社 Young Chorister of the Year.
Songs of Praise will broadcast the final on Sunday 1 December on iPlayer and 麻豆社 One, and on the same day the 麻豆社 Young Chorister of the Year heats and final will be available on 麻豆社 Sounds. It will be broadcast on Radio 2 on Christmas Day (4-6am).
Presenters: Reverend Kate Bottley and Aled Jones
Producer: Alexa Good
A 麻豆社 Audio North production
Good Morning Christmas
Wednesday 25 December, 8am-10am
The Reverend Kate Bottley welcomes in Christmas morning live on Radio 2, with merriment, good cheer and all of your festive wishes!
Whether you鈥檝e been awake for hours peeling potatoes, opening pressies or setting the table, or just easing into the day at a slower pace, Kate has the perfect mix of music and messages from the listeners for this special day.
Presenter: Revd. Kate Bottley
Producer: Will Jones
An Audio Always production
Beverley's Great British Gospel Christmas
Wednesday 25 December, 8pm -10pm
Laurence Olivier Award-winning actress and Britain's soulful sweetheart, Beverley Knight, returns to Radio 2 to host an upbeat celebration of gospel music from the UK and Ireland, festive songs and traditional carols on Christmas evening.
Beverley says: 鈥淚鈥檓 so happy to be back on Radio 2 this Christmas night for a wonderful celebration of the best that gospel music has to offer. I鈥檒l be sharing some of the most uplifting, moving and beautiful vocals, bringing you good vibes as we all wind down from the day. I鈥檒l also be back on Radio 2 in January with a new series of Beverley Knight鈥檚 Gospel Revue.鈥�
Presenter: Beverley Knight
Producer: Chris Mitchell & Bernard Achampong
A We Are Unedited production.
Radio 3
Carols Across the Country: A Seasonal Special
Sunday 1 December, 6.30am-3pm, 4.30pm-7.30pm
In this unique, special day of Christmas programming, 麻豆社 Radio 3 celebrates the first day of December by filling the schedule with Christmas treats and local choirs, live from across the UK.
As dawn breaks on Advent, expect to hear Tom McKinney broadcasting from Lancashire with the Kantos Chamber Choir; Sarah Walker in Barnsley with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band; Petroc Trelawny in Cornwall; Linton Stephens in Cambridge; Kate Molleson in the West Coast of Scotland; John Toal in Londonderry, with the folk band, Nodlaig N铆 Bhrollaigh, and Hannah French with the Morriston Orpheus Choir in Swansea Bay.
A Service for Advent with Carols
Sunday 1 December, 3pm-4.30pm
In celebration of the beginning of Advent, 麻豆社 Radio 3 broadcasts A Service for Advent with Carols, live from the Chapel of St John鈥檚 College, Cambridge.
Featuring readings from the Bible, as well as hymns, the service also includes carols such as Christ Hath a Garden; A Hymn of St Columba; The Seven Joys of Mary, and What Child is This? There will also be words from the Reverend Canon Dr Victoria Johnson, and music from Herbert Howells Organ Scholar, Alexander Robson.
Essential Carols
Sunday 1 December - Wednesday 25 December, 9.30am-1pm
In the run-up to Christmas, every Saturday morning and Sunday morning, Essential Classics presents a special seasonal series of Essential Carols.
Each day, a range of musicians, actors and writers, including Bryn Terfel, Errollyn Wallen, Charlotte Ritchie, Reverend Richard Coles, Elim Chan, and Dr Sian Williams introduce their favourite carol, sharing their personal anecdotes.
From classics such as See Amid the Winter鈥檚 Snow and In The Bleak Midwinter, to unexpected choices such as Tchaikovsky鈥檚 Waltz of the Snowflakes and Sibelius鈥� En etsi valtaa loistoa, Essential Carols features suggestions of festive repertoire for everyone, from lovers of tradition to listeners looking for a seasonal gem.
Early Music Show: The Notre-Dame School
Sunday 8 December, 5pm-6pm
Hannah French explores the music of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, focusing on the 12th-century Notre-Dame school of polyphony and its musical legacy.
As the cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris reopens its doors to the public after more than five years since fire caused its closure, Hannah examines the early musical history of this extraordinary building, including the work of musician-priests L茅onin and Perotin, with the help of Antony Pitts, founder-conductor of the choral group Tonus Peregrinus. Hannah also looks into the musicians who followed in the footsteps of these musical pioneers across the following six centuries, including the organists Louis-Claude Daquin and Armand-Louis Couperin who worked in Notre-Dame in the 18th-century.
Composer of the Week: Christmas in Latvia
Monday 23 December 鈥� Friday 27 December, 4pm-5pm
Donald Macleod visits the city of Riga to experience the seasonal music and Christmas traditions of Latvia 鈥� a country overflowing with choral excellence, and where singing is part of the national identity.
Donald speaks to prominent Latvian composers Rihards Dubra, Ugis Praulin拧 and 膾riks E拧envalds about their lives and work, and how they use music to reflect on Christmas and winter themes. He also meets local musicians to learn about the special way Latvians like to mark this time of year, mixing traditional Christian celebrations alongside ancient pagan customs and folk music honouring 鈥榋iemassv膿tki鈥� or Winter Solstice.
Radio 4
Beyond Belief - Blue Christmas
Tuesday, 24 December, 4.30pm (Repeats 29 December, 6.05am)
On Christmas Eve, Mona Siddiqui is joined by a panel of guests to discuss the jollity often associated with religious festivals and whether religions need to be more nuanced and responsible in their approach 鈥� particularly for believers experiencing grief or hardship.
Presenter: Mona Siddiqui
Producer: Alexa Good for 麻豆社 Audio North
Beyond Belief - The Theology of Detective Fiction
Tuesday, 31 December, 3.30pm (Repeats 5 January, 6.05am)
On New Year鈥檚 Eve, Giles Fraser and guests discuss the shared noble pursuits of religion and detective fiction.
Presenter: Giles Fraser
Producer: Alexa Good for 麻豆社 Audio North
Prayer For The Day
Saturday 14 December, 5.43am (Monday 鈥� Saturday 鈥� The presenter changes weekly)
Six individual episodes presented by Father Dermot Preston each morning until the 20th of December.
Presenter: Father Dermot Preston
Producer: Carmel Lonergan A 麻豆社 Audio North production
Sunday Worship
Sunday 15 December, 8.10am
This Sunday Worship explores the tradition of carols being sung in pubs for over 100 years in the villages around Sheffield, known as The Sheffield Carols.
Producer: Katharine Longworth A 麻豆社 Audio North production
Prayer For The Day
Saturday 21 December, 5.43am (Monday 鈥� Saturday 鈥� The presenter changes weekly )
Six individual episodes presented by Canon Anne Easter each morning until the 27th of December.
Presenter: Canon Anne Easter
Producer: Carmel Lonergan A 麻豆社 Audio North production
Sunday Worship 鈥� Carols for the Christ Child
Sunday 22 December, 8.10am
From Methodist College Belfast with preacher the Revd Dr John Alderdice, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland.
Director of Music: Lynda Rolston
Producer: Bert Tosh.
A 麻豆社 Audio North production
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Tuesday 24 December, 3.02pm (repeated Monday 25 December on 麻豆社 Radio 3)
A service of carols, hymns and readings live from the candlelit Chapel of King鈥檚 College, Cambridge.
Daniel Hyde (Director of Music)
The Revd Dr Stephen Cherry (Dean)
The Revd Dr Mary Kells (Chaplain)
For millions listening around the world, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, live from the candlelit Chapel of King's College, Cambridge, marks the beginning of Christmas. The service is based around nine Bible readings which tell the story of the loving purposes of God. They are interspersed with carols old and new, sung by the world-famous Chapel choir who also lead the congregation in traditional Christmas hymns.
Producer: Philip Billson
Midnight Mass
Tuesday 24 December, 11.30pm
Live from Leeds Cathedral with The Catholic Bishop of Leeds Marcus Stock
Producer: Carmel Lonergan. A 麻豆社 Audio North production
Christmas Day with the Salvation Army
Wednesday 25 December, 7.02am
Christmas Day worship celebrated with the Salvation Army from the Royal Albert Hall.
Producer: Katharine Longworth. A 麻豆社 Audio North production
Christmas Meditation
Wednesday 25 December, 12.15am
Samantha Morton reflects on Christmas and what it means to her.
Producer: Carmel Lonergan. A 麻豆社 Audio North production
Prayer For The Day
Saturday 28 December - Friday 3 January, 5.43am (Monday - Saturday 鈥� The presenter changes weekly)
Presented by Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York.
Producer: Carmel Lonergan. A 麻豆社 Audio North production
Sunday Worship 鈥� Notre Dame
Sunday 29 December, 8.10am
Earlier in December the basilica of Notre Dame opened its doors for the first time since the devastating fire of April 2019. French theologian and Anglican priest, The Revd Prebendary Dr Isabelle Hamley, has made her home in the UK. Today, as she visits the sight of the fire, she reflects on the cultural, historical and theological streams that both differentiate and unite the two countries, as well as celebrating the great music and events for which this remarkable building is celebrated.
Producer: Andrew Earis. A 麻豆社 Audio North production
Sunday Worship
Sunday 5 January, 8.10am
Celebrating the life of hymnwriter Timothy Dudley-Smith.
Producer: Katharine Longworth. A 麻豆社 Audio North production
4Extra
Advent to Christmas on Daily Service
9.45am-10am (airs Monday 鈥� Friday every week until 24th December)
Daily Service for Advent begins with the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, and features beautiful Advent carols, looking ahead to Christmas.
During Christmas week, favourite carols and reflections come from the Daily Service Carol Concert recorded with an audience in Salford.
The presenters are: Bishop of Manchester, Bishop David Walker; Swarzy Shire; Seth Pinnock; Rev Grace Thomas; and David Waters.
The music comes from the Daily Service Singers, northern musicians including Up North Session String Quintet and local parish choirs.
They鈥檒l be joined by West End star Rachel John and Christian singer-songwriter Philippa Hanna, and this year鈥檚 麻豆社 Young Choristers of the Year.
An hour special of the Carol Concert will also be broadcast on 麻豆社 Radio Manchester on Christmas Day
Producer: Miriam Williamson. A 麻豆社 Audio North production
World Service
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Tuesday 24 December, 3pm鈥�4.30pm
Held in the candlelit Chapel of King's College, Cambridge, this service marks for many people around the world, the beginning of Christmas.
It is based around nine Bible readings which tell the story of the loving purposes of God.
They are interspersed with carols old and new, sung by the world-famous Chapel Choir who also lead the congregation in traditional Christmas hymns.
Northern Ireland
麻豆社 Radio Ulster/Foyle will be welcoming in the festive season with a host of special programmes over Christmas and the New Year.
An extended Morning Service for Christmas Day morning at 9am led by the Rev Dr David Bruce will feature the New Irish Youth Choir and music and reflections to celebrate Christmas. An edited version of the programme will also be broadcast at the usual time of 10am on Sunday 29 December.
At 10am, Fr Brian D鈥橝rcy will present a two-hour programme for Christmas Day with a mix of music, requests, thoughts and reflections.
Festive music will be the centrepiece of Classical Connections on Christmas Day at 6pm presented by John Toal which will feature classical renditions of Christmas carols alongside other joyful music.
The Bandstand Christmas Special at 3pm on Christmas Day will also feature a mix of secular and traditional carols.
Sunday Sequence at 8.30am on Sunday 22 December and at 9am on Sunday 29 December will reflect on the spirit and significance of Christmas in current times and hear what the main ethical challenges are likely to be for the new year of 2025.
Sounds Sacred on Sunday 22 December at 5pm, Richard Yarr introduces a range of Christmas carols and sacred pieces chosen by listeners from near and far. And on Sunday 29 December, Fr Eugene O鈥橦agan shares a varied selection of his own choices.
There will also be another chance to hear The Journey Of The Magi on Sunday 22 December at 7.30pm, as part of a special Classical Connections with John Toal. It tells the story of the Wise Men and their star-guided journey, based on a poem by W.R. Rodgers, with music by Paul Campbell, and narrated by Michelle Fairley and Stuart Graham.
Throughout the week, at 7.55am from Sunday 22 December to Friday 27 December - Thought For The Day will feature a special series of reflections from contributors on the theme of 鈥榟ope鈥�.
On Sunday 29 December at 10.45am a special Thought for the Year will replace the usual Thought for the Week, with a compilation of some of the most memorable Thoughts from the series during 2024.
Scotland
麻豆社 Scotland鈥檚 Watchnight programme, Christmas Celebration 2024, which airs on 麻豆社 One Scotland just before midnight on Christmas Eve comes from Holy Trinity Church in St Andrews.
It includes performances from St Salvator鈥檚 Chapel Choir and Senior Organ Scholar Michael Chamberlain, children from StAMP Children's Choir, soloist Susan Hamilton, Bede Williams and his Music Centre Scholarship Brass Quartet and Montfort Scholar Percussionist Issie Hanson, who will join organist Tom Wilkinson and the Holy Trinity Choir.
There鈥檒l also be traditional readings filmed with young people from local schools in St Andrews and prayer from Rev Marion Paton, Locum Minister of Holy Trinity Church. This year鈥檚 service has a nautical theme and, marking the RNLI鈥檚 200th anniversary, there鈥檚 a film about the local crew based at Anstruther.
It鈥檚 the one hundredth anniversary of the 1924 Olympics when Scottish sprinter Eric Liddell, guided by his faith, refused to run in the 100m competition as heats for that race were being held on the Sabbath. To mark the anniversary of the story which inspired the film Chariots of Fire, the programme features an interview with his daughter, Patrica Liddell Russell.
麻豆社 Radio Scotland
In Christmas with Cathy and Tony on Christmas Eve Cathy MacDonald and Tony Kearney share festive reflections on the theme of Christmas Through the Ages.
It鈥檚 followed in the evening by a Christmas Service which takes listeners into Christmas morning with reflections, choral music and carols from Douglas Academy in Milngavie, Glasgow.
Wales
麻豆社 Radio Cymru
Advent Sunday will see 麻豆社 Radio Cymru鈥檚 long-running Welsh language series Caniadaeth y Cysegr showcasing our most loved Christmas carols. The topical programme, Bwrw Golwg will place the spotlight on religious and ethical matters. And on Christmas morning join worshippers at Capel Tabernacl, Efail Isaf for an extended festive Service.
麻豆社 Radio Wales
On Sunday 22 December at 8am, A Christmas Meditation will be hosted by Aleighcia Scott on 麻豆社 Radio Wales. A programme of festive music, readings, musings and memories in the lead up to Christmas and a chance to pause and take a breath before the festivities begin. On Christmas Eve at 11.30pm , St Collen鈥檚 Church Llangollen will ring in Christmas with a joyful service of carols, readings and reflections led by Fr Lee Taylor. And on Christmas Day at 7am, we return to St Collen鈥檚 Church for a celebratory service with readings, carols and some memories and hopes for the Christmas period delivered by groups from the local community, ranging from local school children; a harpist who spent time living in Bethlehem; the 鈥楥ollen Players鈥� performance troupe; and leaders from the church鈥檚 own Genesis project striving to offer a welcome to all in the community.
Local Radio
Local 麻豆社 Radio will continue to connect with its local audience over the festive period with a special service on Christmas Day, which will be broadcast at 7am and will be presented by Frances Finn from 麻豆社 Radio Lincolnshire.
At 6am on Christmas Day, all 39 stations will broadcast a specially commissioned programme called Keeping the Faith at Christmas, which will be presented by Si King from the Hairy Bikers.