麻豆社

Cathy Macdonald explores the stories behind the Christmas carols we know and love with Andrew Gant, composer and author of Deck The Hall: The Stories of our Favourite Christmas Carols.

The Virgin Mary may be at the heart of the Nativity and Easter stories, but little is known of her earlier years. A new Netflix film Mary aims to put this right, exploring her coming-of-age journey. But how effectively and accurately does it bring Mary鈥檚 story to life? Helen Bond, Professor of Christian Origins at the University of Edinburgh, gives her thoughts.

He may have played Father Dougal in the classic sitcom Father Ted, but Ardal O鈥橦anlon鈥檚 relationship with faith is not so straightforward. Ahead of his Not Himself tour, Ardal shares his spiritual life with Cathy.

Helping Cathy pour over some of the week鈥檚 news stories through an ethical lens are Dr Jehan Al-Azzawi, an educationalist who is also a specialist in the Middle East, Bob Davies, Professor of Religious and Cultural Education at the University of Glasgow, and writer Dr David Goodman, a member of the Jewish Reform Community.

In the aftermath of Bashar Al Assad fleeing Syria, what does it mean for the future of the country as well as the thousands of Syrians who have been displaced over the past 13 years? The panel discuss the implications as well as the uncertainties ahead.

As the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to a group of survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs who have spent their lives sharing their experiences to campaign for nuclear disarmament, Cathy and her guests explore the power and importance of witness testimony.

And it鈥檚 that time of year when families come together for the festive season. For some, it might mean sharing food, games, and great TV, but for others, family doesn鈥檛 necessarily mean warmth and safety. What are some of the challenges of coming together at this time?