Christmas Religious Programming on the BBC

Christmas worship on BBC One will begin with a joyful and atmospheric celebration of Midnight Mass in the Anglican tradition broadcast live from the historic Croydon Minster. This year’s Christmas Day service comes live from St Joseph’s Bradford, featuring the Bradford Catholic Youth Choir.

Choirmaster Gareth Malone and gospel choir conductor Karen Gibson (pictured above) reunite this advent to explore Britain’s Christmas Story on BBC One, discovering how this most popular of Christian festivals has been celebrated both in the past and today. With their shared passion for music they also explore what the nation has sung at this time of year across the centuries with beautiful renditions of some of our most loved carols.

The Rev Kate Bottley celebrates the Nativity with local school children in Devon for Songs of Praise, while Aled Jones hosts the Christmas Big Sing from Belfast.

The much-loved Christmas tradition, Carols from King’s on BBC Two, will bring viewers a feast of music and spoken word from the magical, candlelit Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, lead for the first time by new musical director, Daniel Hyde.

A Service For Advent With Carols, broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 from the Chapel of St. John’s College in Cambridge, will be the first of several religious services broadcast across BBC Radio throughout December. BBC Radio 4 will air A Festival Of Nine Lessons And Carols on Christmas Eve - featuring a specially-composed carol by former Master of the Music at York Minister, Philip Moore - while this year’s Christmas Service will be led by the Bishop of Dorking, Jo Bailey Wells, from the Wintershall Estate near Guildford, on Christmas Day at 9am.

Elsewhere, the Rev Kate Bottley will be wishing a very Good Morning Christmas to BBC Radio 2 listeners with a lively two-hour programme on Christmas Day, before joining the Revs Richard Coles and Giles Fraser for a special Christmas episode of Three Vicars Talking on BBC Radio 4. Actress Sally Phillips hosts this year’s Christmas Meditation in the early hours of Boxing Day, also on Radio 4, where she’ll reflect on the meaning of Christmas as the festivities draw to a close.

Daisy Scalchi, Commissioning Editor, Specialist Factual says: “We have a fantastic mix of traditional carols, festive music, spiritual contemplation and live worship to mark this Christmas. I hope our content will uplift and inspire viewers as they come together to reflect and celebrate at this very special time of year.”

James Purnell, Director of Radio and Education, says: “We’ve placed a particular emphasis on elevating our religion and ethics output across the BBC in 2019 as part of our Year of Beliefs, and I hope our listeners will enjoy our programming this Christmas too.

"With various live services of music and worship, along with special episodes of established programmes like Beyond Belief and Three Vicars Talking, our audiences will have numerous opportunities to embrace this year’s festival and find spiritual programming they connect with on BBC Radio.”

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BBC One

Britain’s Christmas Story
Choirmaster Gareth Malone and gospel choir conductor Karen Gibson reunite this advent to reveal the stories and legends behind some of Britain’s Christmas traditions. They uncover the sometimes surprising ways that the festive season has been marked in the past, and find out about the now-familiar - or long-forgotten - customs that originated on these shores. And, with their shared passion for music, they’ll also explore what the nation has sung at this time of year across the centuries.

The first episode explores the beginnings of Christmas celebrations in Britain through to their riotous heyday in Tudor times.

Gareth learns that carols were once as much about dancing as singing, so he tries his hand at both, with one of the country’s oldest surviving carols. Meanwhile Karen finds out why a holy site in Norfolk, known as England’s Nazareth, once rivalled Jerusalem and Rome as a destination for pilgrims. After discovering how concerns over the excesses of the season ultimately led to Christmas being banned, the pair come together for a beautiful rendition of a much-loved carol. 

The second episode traces how, after being banned by Oliver Cromwell, Christmas was ultimately revived with a vengeance in Victorian times. Gareth traces the evolution of carols and samples the long-established tradition of pub-carolling with musician Kate Rusby. Karen discovers the intentions and messages behind the first Christmas cards - and finds out how other now common traditions became so popular. And, after meeting the Archbishop of Canterbury to hear why the meaning of Christmas remains so important today, the pair orchestrate a rousing musical finale, putting a twist on a familiar favourite to celebrate the season.

• Britain’s Christmas Story (2x60) is a BBC Studios Factual Salford series for BBC One. The BBC Commissioning Editor is Daisy Scalchi. Karen Selway is the Series Producer and Rob Unsworth is the Executive Producer for BBC Studios.

Songs Of Praise
Sunday 15 December

In this episode the Rev. Kate Bottley celebrates the Nativity on a Christian-run farm in Devon, joining local school children to act out the story of the birth of the baby Jesus among the farm animals. We also meet the Christian who is one of the few traditional wooden Nativity Set makers in the UK.

Christmas Big Sing
Sunday 22 December

Aled Jones hosts the Christmas Big Sing from the Assembly Hall in Belfast. He will be joined by a line-up of star guests including Katherine Jenkins and a congregation of 800 as they come together for a feast of favourite carols and festive music.

• The BBC Commissioning Editor is Daisy Scalchi. Cat Lewis is the Executive Producer for Nine Lives and Emyr Afan is the Executive Producer for Avanti Media.

Midnight Mass from Croydon Minster, 24 December
The traditional Christmas Eve celebration of Midnight Mass comes live from Croydon Minster, and promises to be an uplifting and atmospheric celebration from this historic gem, which among its treasures contains the tombs of six Archbishops of Canterbury.

The service is led by the vicar, the Revd Dr Andrew Bishop, and the preacher is the Bishop of Croydon, the Rt Revd Jonathan Clark. The Choir, directed by Ronny Krippner, sing Mozart's Great Credo Mass in C and lead the congregation in well-loved carols, including It Came Upon A Midnight Clear and Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, accompanied by organist Tom Little.

• The producer/director is Jonathan Haswell and the executive producer Hugh Faupel.

Christmas Day Mass
10am, 25 December

A joyful celebration of Christmas Day Mass, live from St Joseph's Catholic Church in Bradford, with music from the senior and junior sections of Bradford Catholic Youth Choir, directed by Thomas Leech and Alexander Kyle.

The service is introduced by the Revd Christopher Angel and the Celebrant is the Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Marcus Stock, who will also preach. The Choir will sing Mozart's Missa Brevis in C (Orgelsolo). Favourite Christmas carols old and new include O Come All Ye Faithful, the Candlelight Carol (John Rutter) and O Little Town of Bethlehem. The organist is David Pipe.

• Producer/director: Pamela Hossick; Executive Producer: Chris Loughlin.

On Christmas Night, 25 December
As Christmas Day draws to a close, a well-known personality tells the story of the first Christmas, from Luke's Gospel, when angels appeared to shepherds to proclaim the news of the birth of Jesus. Followed by a performance of the beautiful Basque carol, Sing Lullaby, by internationally acclaimed boys' choir, Libera.

• The series producer is Pamela Hossick and the Executive producer is Hugh Faupel.

The Archbishop of Canterbury's New Year Message, 1 January
The Most Revd Justin Welby looks ahead to the coming year and reflects on the importance of connecting with other people. He's inspired by a visit to a lifeboat station in his own diocese of Canterbury and the example set by the RNLI volunteers.

• The producer/director is Garry Boon and the Executive Producer is Hugh Faupel

BBC Two

Carols From Kings
A solo chorister sings Once in Royal David's City, in the hushed expectancy of the candlelit, fan-vaulted Chapel of King's College, Cambridge and Carols from King's, the traditional, well-loved celebration of the Christmas story begins once more.

The world-famous King's College Choir sing carols old and new, including the Sussex Carol, Ding Dong Merrily on High and O Holy Night, directed for the first time by Daniel Hyde. The service is led by the Dean, the Revd Dr Stephen Cherry and the Chaplain, the Revd Andrew Hammond.

First broadcast 65 years ago, Carols From King's was inspired by and complements BBC Radio 4's A Festival Of Nine Lessons and Carols. The television programme gives viewers an opportunity to enjoy the magnificent architecture of the Chapel, the exquisite singing of the Choir, readings from the King James Bible and seasonal poetry, read by members of King's College.

• Carols From King's is a BBC Studios Factual Salford series for BBC Two. The BBC Commissioning Editor is Daisy Scalchi. Pamela Hossick is the Series Producer and Hugh Faupel is the Executive Producer for BBC Studios.

BBC Radio 2’s Young Choristers of the Year 2019

Sunday 22 December, 6pm-7pm

BBC Radio 2’s Young Choristers of the Year 2019 grand final takes place at the BBC Philharmonic Studios in MediaCityUK, hosted by former Blue Peter presenter, Radzi Chinyanganya (pictured above)

One girl and one boy will be awarded the title of BBC Radio 2’s Young Chorister of the Year 2019.

The competition, now in its 33rd year, celebrates young talent singing in churches, chapels, cathedrals, and beyond. Eight contestants from around the UK, aged between 11 and 17 years old, will compete in the final. This year, they perform in front of a panel of expert judges, including composer and conductor Bob Chilcott, vocal coach to the stars Carrie Grant, world-famous opera singer Gerald Finley, and classical singing star Camilla Kerslake.

The eight finalists of BBC Radio 2’s Young Choristers of the Year 2019 are:

Charlie Trueman - Wakefield Cathedral
Cai Thomas - Edgeborough School
William James - Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace
William Miles-Kingston - St Peter's School, York
Amelia Horan - Sedburgh School
Catherine James - Lady Eleanor Holles School
Lydia South - Lincoln Cathedral
Anna Haestrup - St Paul’s Girls School

The eight finalists will each sing a Christmas carol and a Christmas anthem:

Joy To World (Antioch); The Little Road To Bethlehem (Head); Suo Gan (Prizeman); O Holy Night (Adam); Past Three O’Clock (Wood); Dormi, Jesu (John Rutter); In The Bleak Midwinter (Holst); The Sussex Carol (Willcocks); Once In Royal David’s City (Irby); That Yongë Child (Britten); The Coventry Carol (Traditional); The Corpus Christi Carol (Britten); The Shepherd’s Farewell Carol (Berlioz); How Beautiful Are The Feet (Handel); The First Nowell (Willcocks); and The Virgin’s Slumber Song (Reger).

• Presenter: Radzi Chinyanganya
• Producer: Alexa Good for BBC Radio 2

Good Morning Christmas
Wednesday 25 December, 8am-10am

Rev. Kate Bottley wishes a very Good Morning Christmas to Radio 2 listeners live on Christmas Day. We’ll celebrate with live music from a gospel choir and share listeners’ Christmas messages.

Making sure no one is left behind, whether celebrating on your own or with loved ones, we’ll have inspirational stories, carols, and reflections on the message of Christmas.

• Presenter: Rev. Kate Bottley
• Producer: Rebecca Maxted for BBC Radio 2

BBC Radio 3

A Service For Advent With Carols
Sunday 1 December, 3pm-4.30pm

Join the congregation live from the Chapel of St John’s College Cambridge, for this annual feast of Advent music in a candlelit service that heralds a season of preparation before Christmas. This year’s special commission is Hark the Glad Sound by Judith Bingham.

Director of Music: Andrew Nethsingha
Herbert Howells Organ Scholar: James Anderson-Besant

• Producer: Ben Collingwood for BBC Radio 3

BBC Radio 4

Beyond Belief: Saudi Arabia And Iran
Monday 16 December, 4.30pm-5pm

Saudi Arabia and Iran have been rivals for many years, but recently it has become more intense. As the two countries struggle for regional dominance, what is the impact of this new ‘cold war’ on the whole of the Middle East? And why is the tension between the two more complicated than simply a disagreement between Sunni and Shia Muslims?

Joining host Ernie Rea to discuss are Iranian academic Eskandar Sadeghi-Boroujerdi (Goldsmiths), Middle East expert Dr. Simon Mabon (University of Lancaster), and Saudi Arabian academic Professor Madawi Al-Rasheed (LSE).

• Presenter: Ernie Rea
• Producer: Helen Lee for BBC Radio 4

Beyond Belief: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe
Monday 23 December, 4.30pm-5pm

Although it was written nearly 70 years ago, The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe still regularly appears in the UK’s top ten favourite children’s books and has sold over 100 million copies in 47 different languages.

The book is, of course, set in the magical land of Narnia, where the White Witch has cast a spell to make sure that winter is everlasting and Christmas never comes. This changes when four siblings - Lucy, Peter, Susan and Edmund- stumble into Narnia through the back of a wardrobe and defeat the Witch with the help of the mighty lion, Aslan.

For some readers, The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe is an allegory of the story of Jesus; many others view it simply as a good yarn. To discuss the religious message behind the book - and whether or not it really matters - host Ernie Rea is joined by three authors: Lucy Mangan, Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Francis Spufford.

Extracts are read by former Coronation Street and Broadchurch actress, Julie Hesmondhalgh.

• Presenter: Ernie Rea
• Producer: Helen Lee for BBC Radio 4

A Festival Of Nine Lessons And Carols
Tuesday 24 December, 3-4.30pm

A live broadcast from the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge.

For millions listening around the world, A Festival Of Nine Lessons And Carols marks 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. This year the Festival is conducted by King's College's recently-appointed Director of Music, Daniel Hyde.

This year’s service celebrates the musical contribution of several former Directors of Music, including Sir David Willcocks, Sir Philip Ledger and Sir Stephen Cleobury, who recently passed away.

A new carol has been commissioned for the service every year since 1983. The specially-composed carol for 2019, The Angel Gabriel, is by former Organist and Master of the Music at York Minster, Philip Moore.

Once in Royal David's City (desc. Cleobury)
Bidding Prayer read by the Dean
Sussex Carol (arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams)
First lesson: Genesis 3 vv 8-15, 17-19 read by a Chorister
The Truth from Above (Vaughan Williams/arr. Christopher Robinson)

Second lesson: Genesis 22 vv 15-19 read by a Choral Scholar
Angels from the Realms of Glory (arr. Reginald Jaques)
Ding Dong Merrily on High (arr. Willcocks)
Third lesson: Isaiah 9 vv 2, 6-7 read by a representative of the Cambridge churches
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (desc. John Scott)
O Little Town of Bethlehem (Sir Henry Walford Davies)

Fourth lesson: Isaiah 11 1-4a, 6-9 read by the Chaplain
There is No Rose (Dame Elizabeth Maconchy)
The Lamb (John Tavener)

Fifth lesson: Luke 1 vv 26-35, 38 read by a member of College staff
The Angel Gabriel (2019 commission - Moore)
Joys Seven (arr. Cleobury)

Sixth lesson: Luke 2 vv 1-7 read by a representative of the City of Cambridge
Silent Night (arr. Cleobury)
Candlelight Carol (John Rutter)

Seventh lesson: Luke 2 vv 8-17 read by the Director of Music
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
Away In a Manger (arr. Cleobury)

Eighth lesson: Matthew 2 vv 1-12 read by the Vice-Provost
Coventry Carol (Kenneth Leighton)
Sir Christèmas (William Mathias)

Ninth lesson: John 1 vv 1-14 read by the Provost
O Come, All Ye Faithful (desc. Willcocks)
Collect and Blessing
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (desc. Ledger)

Organ voluntaries:
In dulci jubilo (BWV 729) (Bach)
Final from Symphonie VI (Louis Vierne)

Director of Music: Daniel Hyde
Organ Scholar: Dónal McCann
Chaplain: The Revd Andrew Hammond
Dean: The Revd Dr Stephen Cherry

• Producer: Philip Billson for BBC Radio 4

Midnight Mass
Tuesday 24 December, 11.30pm-12.45am

The Mass of the Nativity of the Lord, live from St. George's Cathedral, Southwark. With the Archbishop of Southwark, the Most Revd John Wilson, who is celebrant and preacher.

Carols and anthems include seasonal favourites such as O Come, All Ye Faithful and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, with an atmospheric mass setting by Neil Cox.

Director of Music: Jonathan Schranz
Organist: Frederick Stocken

• Producer: Andrew Earis for BBC Radio 4

Christmas Service: A Wintershall Nativity
Wednesday 25 December, 9-9.45am

A Nativity service from the Wintershall Estate, near Guildford.

Each December, a large cast of players and animals bring alive the Christmas story, drawing huge crowds to the estate as they retell the story of the birth of Jesus. The Bishop of Dorking, Jo Bailey Wells, leads a congregation of friends of the estate and explores why people love the richness of this iconic story, which is at once theological, mystical and magical.

Baptist minister Richard Littledale explores the different levels of truth it has for many. A festive treat of congregational Christmas hymns with brass is led by the renowned St Martin's Voices, who also sing a selection of exquisite choir carols.

• Producer: Andrew Earis for BBC Radio 4

Three Vicars Talking
Wednesday 25 December, 1.15pm-1.45pm

Three Vicars Talking is back for a Christmas Day special.

Reverends Richard Coles, Kate Bottley and Giles Fraser swap shop talk about one of the busiest times of the clerical year. As well as getting ready for Christmas like the rest of us, they also have to prepare for advent, attend numerous school nativity plays, and officiate at midnight mass in front of their biggest congregations of the year.

• Presenters: Rev. Richard Coles, Rev. Kate Bottley and Rev. Giles Fraser
• Producer: Neil Morrow for BBC Radio 4

Christmas Meditation with Sally Phillips
Thursday 26 December, 12.15pm-12.30am

Just after midnight on Boxing Day, actor and comedian Sally Phillips (pictured above) reflects on the meaning of Christmas at the end of a special day.

For some, it will be quiet and spent alone; for others it will be a long day spent entertaining family and friends. In a personal reflection on what it means to Sally, she’ll capture some of her thoughts and feelings at this festive time of year.

• Presenter: Sally Phillips
• Producer: Alexa Good for BBC Radio 4

Sunday
Sunday 29 December, 7.10am-7.55am

Emily Buchanan presents a special programme marking the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower to America. The programme will look at the religious motivation of these pilgrims and their modern resonances, and will also explore how their brand of Christianity has influenced America.

• Presenter: Emily Buchanan for BBC Radio 4

Beyond Belief: Miracles
Monday 30 December, 4.30pm-5pm

This year the Catholic Church declared John Henry Newman a saint, following a lengthy investigation which concluded that two miraculous cures had resulted from the Cardinal’s intercession.

It’s not only the Christian church that believes in miracles - but what actually are they? And should we find a new, broader definition for the 21st century? Nuclear scientist Professor Ian Hutchinson, John Thavis, who was formerly the Rome Bureau Chief of the Catholic News Service, and Dr Sarah Shaw, a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies, join host Ernie Rea to discuss.

• Presenter: Ernie Rea
• Producer: Helen Lee for BBC Radio 4

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Related Media Centre Links

• Festive Highlights for 2019 on BBC Radio and BBC Sounds
• BBC television Christmas programming