Religious Broadcasting this Christmas

A list of religious broadcasting compiled by the Catholic Communications Network. The Catholic Communications Network is the media relations, news and publications office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales with a team who are highly experienced in the worlds of PR, journalism and publications.

Saturday 23 December

The Way We Worshiped Christmas Special Lynda Bellingham, Kazia Pelka and Jimmy Savile are among the famous faces reminiscing about the traditions that were once the foundations of the festive season 9.25am ITV1

Christmas in the Cathedral At Salisbury Cathedral they are preparing for Christmas 3.30pm R4

Opera on 3: Live from the Met: Don Carlo Verdi’s drama of personal, political and religious passion 6.00pm R3

God Gave Rock and Roll to You Taking a look at the relationship between religion and music, from hymns to music be platinum-selling hip hop artist Kanye West 6.30pm Channel 4

The Lost Gospel of Judas The Gospel of Judas, which may or may not have been surfaced in the desert relatively recently has been traded on the black market for the last 25 years. A team of experts set out to restore the manuscript and determine whether it is real or fake 8.30pm Channel 4

Pre-Hear New Carols Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, conductor Stephen Cleobury 10.45pm R3

Film: Nuns on the Run Comedy. Brian and Charlie have become disillusioned with the violence of modern-day crime 11.40pm Channel 4


Sunday 24 December

Something Understood Who Do You Say That I Am? Mark Tully discusses the question of what Jesus means in the 21st century with the Catholic theologian James Alison 6.05am R4

Aled Jones says Good Morning Sunday Guests include cellist Julian Lloyd Webber, the London Adventist Chorale, Sarah Brightman and, on the phone, Katherine Jenkins 7.00am R2

Sunday Religious news, with Roger Bolton, this week coming from Coventry Cathedral 7.10am R4

Sunday Worship (4/4) This week’s theme is Heaven, From Greyfriars Toolbooth and Highland Kirk, Edinburgh with the minister the Rev Richard Frazer, and the former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Alison Elliott. 8.10am R4

What the World Needs Now (4/4) The true meaning and origins of Advent 9.15am BBC1

Cathedral (2/8) The Archbishop of Canterbury joins in the Christmas Eve celebrations 9.25am ITV1

Film: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe – animation 11.25am ITV1

Beyond Narnia Documentary – drama charting the work of C S Lewis 11:50 am BBC2

Film: Solomon and Sheba Ornate biblical epic 12.45pm BBC2

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Live from the Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, the traditional service that for many people all over the world marks the beginning of Christmas 3.00pm R4

Film: The Nun’s Story After entering a convent, a young Belgian girl finds the principle of unquestioning obedience hard to observe 3.15pm BBC2

Film: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Spirited filmed version of the long-running stage musical, featuring an all-star cast 3.15pm Channel 5

Gift of a Goat Ethical gifts of goats to help poor African families have become a hit Christmas Present. Hermione Cockburn travels to Uganda to see if the goats really do help rural communities find a way out of poverty 4.30pm R4

Carols from King’s Live. Annual service from King’s College, Cambridge, telling the Christmas story through music and prose 5.45pm BBC2

The Private Life of a Christmas Masterpiece New Series (1/3) The Annunciation. The first moment in the Christmas story is the arrival of the Archangel Gabriel to tell Mary that she has been chosen to give birth to the Son of God 7.00pm BBC2

Sunday Half Hour Featuring the story of Christmas with the choir of Exeter Cathedral 8.00pm R2

Off the Page (6/6) Is it ever acceptable to lie to children, even in teaching the myth of Father Christmas? 10.30pm R4

Carols by Candlelight Stephen Williams directs the Chapter House Choir of York Minster. Presented by Aled Jones 11.00pm R2

Midnight Mass Worshippers gather for a live service from Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, led by the Archbishop of Liverpool, the Most Rev Patrick Kelly 11.25pm BBC1

Midnight Mass Live from Clifton Cathedral, Bristol, Led by the Bishop of Clifton, the Rt Rev Declan Lang with a feast of carols 11.30pm R4

Christmas Eve Service From All Saints in Daresbury, Cheshire. The Rt Rev Jack Nicholls, The Bishop of Sheffield, and the Rev Canon David Felix are joined by singers, celebrities and choirs, including Katherine Jenkins, Andy Abraham, Alfie Boe and the St Cecilia Singers. The readings and prayers are led by the Duchess of Kent, MPs Hazel Blears, David Blunkett and Ann Widdecombe 11.40pm ITV1


Monday 25 December

A Yorkshire Christmas Martin Wainwright explores why so many Christian traditions started in “God’s county” 6.05am R4

Aled Jones says Good Morning Christmas Archbishop Desmond Tutu offers his Christmas message, with music from singer/songwriter Eleanor McEvoy. Plus guest, the writer and chef Simon Hopkinson 7.00am R2

Christmas Service From St Mary the Virgin in Bowden, Cheshire, led by Clair Jaquiss, Preacher Canon Trevor Dennis. Exploring the contrasting ways in which the gospels tell the story of Christ’s birth 9.00am R4

Cathedral (3/8) At Canterbury Cathedral, Archbishop Rowan Williams reflects on the meaning of Christmas 9.25am ITV1

Christmas Family Worship Morning Communion from St Mary's Ealing 10.20am BBC1

Divine Art (1/5) Art historian Brian Sewell examines the relationship between the Anglican Church and contemporary artists. Today he visits Philip Jackson, the royal sculptor to the Queen, at Chichester Cathedral 2.45pm R4

The Queen Her Majesty addresses the nation and the Commonwealth 3.00pm R2, R4 & R 5, BBC1 & ITV1

Alternative Christmas Message The annual tradition continues, and this year the yuletide address is given by Khadija, a British Muslim woman who has been wearing the niqab veil for a decade 3.00pm Channel 4

The Private Life of a Christmas Masterpiece (2/3) A closer look at the image that inspired a thousand Christmas cards: Brueghel’s Census at Bethlehem 6.15pm BBC2

The Queen Repeat 7.05pm BBC2

The Invention of Childhood (2/6) Michael Morpurgo looks at the effects on childhood of changes in religion, and of education and poor relief in the 16th and 17th centuries 9.00pm R4

The Secret Family of Jesus Documentary on the Da Vinci Code 8.00pm Channel 4

The Vicar of Dibley (1/2) Comedy, Alice thinks she is the last living descendent of Christ after working out the clues of the Da Vinci Code 9.30pm BBC1

The Way We Worshipped Christmas Special Repeat 11.45pm ITV1

Christmas Meditation Archbishop Desmond Tutu reflects on the God who reveals Himself in the birth of a baby 12.15am R4 (FM only )

The Magic of Jesus Magicians Barry and Stuart from Dirty Tricks use biblical stories as their inspiration 12.40am Channel 4


Tuesday 26 December

Daily service Led by Mgr Tony Rogers 9.45am R4

Divine Art (2/5) Brian Sewell examines sculptor Stephen Cox’s work at Canterbury Cathedral 3.45pm R4

The Private Life of a Christmas Masterpiece (3/3) The series concludes with a look at Paul Gauguin’s interpretation of the Nativity scene 6.10pm BBC2

The Invention of Childhood (3/6) Discussing the battle between Evangelicals and the Romantics over the nature and purpose of childhood, and the growth of a new phenomenon – pester power 9.00pm R4


Wednesday 27 December

Daily Service Led by Canon Chris Chivers 9.45am R4

Afternoon Performance – Kids and Carols: BBC Singers, BBC National Orchestra of Wales Presented by John Shea 2.00pm R3

Angelic Hosts (1/3) A shepherd boy had an unexpected encounter with the angel Gabriel. By Michael Morpurgo. 3.30pm R4

Choral Evensong From the Priory Church, Edington, Wiltshire, during the 2006 Festival of Music within the Liturgy 4.00pm R3

Divine Art (3/5) Anthony Whishaw joins Brian Sewell at Christ Church, Kensington, to examine the links between the Anglican Church and its artisans 3.45pm R4


Thursday 28 December

Daily Service Led by Becky Harris 9.45am R4

Angelic Hosts (2/3) When a cleaning lady finds a valuable painting of an angel in her employer’s attic, good things start to happen. By Clare Boylan. 3.30pm R4

Divine Art Brian Sewell discusses sculptor Nicholas Moreton’s work at Gloucester Cathedral 3.45pm R4

Analysis (8/8) Telling Muslim Stories Has reporting of the Iraq war abroad and the terrorist threat at home damaged the trust of ordinary Muslims in the mainstream media? 8.30pm R4

The Perfect Parents A well meaning couple tell a lie about their religious beliefs in order to have their daughter accepted by a highly-regarded Catholic school. 9:00pm ITV1


Friday 29 December

Act of Worship Led by Leslie Griffiths 9.45am R4

Angelic Hosts (3/3) An abstract image of an angel triggers off a forgotten memory. With hindsight, could apparently random events be a sign of divine intervention? 3.30pm R4

Divine Art (5/5) Brian Sewell discusses the controversial new commission for the east window at London’s St Martin-in-the-Fields 3.45pm R4


Sunday 31 December

Aled Jones says Good Morning Sunday With highlights of the year’s show 7.00am R2

Sunday Worship Two years after the Asian tsunami, the Rev Dr John Polkinghorne and Rev Angela Tilby consider the problem with evil from the perspectives of science and faith 8.10am R4

Heaven & Earth with Gloria Hunniford A visit to London’s West End theatre-land to talk to people about some of the surprising forms that faith can take. 10.00am BBC1

Cathedral (4/8) Peter Williams explores Canterbury Cathedral 12.25pm ITV1

The Early Music Show Lucy Skeaping looks back at the medieval celebrations between Christmas and Epiphany 1.00pm R3

Songs of Praise A Big Sing party for the new year from London’s Royal Albert Hall 6.30pm BBC1

Sunday Half Hour Roger Royle reflects on the power of hymns, and talks to hymn writer Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith 7.00pm R2

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s New Year Message The Most Rev Dr Rowan Williams looks back at the events of the past 12 months 8.00pm BBC2


Monday 1 January

Gift of a Goat repeat from Christmas Eve 6.30am R4

Act of Worship Led by Dr Bert Tosh 9.45am R4

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s New Year Message The Most Rev Dr Rowan Williams looks back at the past 12 months 12.45pm BBC1

Vicar of Dibley (2/2) Comedy, the chocoholic vicar swaps her dog collar for a wedding dress in the last-ever episode 9.30pm BBC1


Tuesday 2 January

Daily Service Led by Rev Tony Burnham 9.45am


Wednesday 3 January

Daily Service Led by Clair Jaquiss 9.45am

A Service for Epiphany Live from the chapel of Eton College with the Rodolfus Choir 4.00pm R3


Thursday 4 January

Daily Service Led by Rev Peter Whittaker 9.45am R4


Friday 5 January

Act of Worship Led by Andrew Graystone 9.45am R4


23-29 December

Prayer for the Day Led by Rt Rev Richard Chartres (not Sunday)
Pause for Though R2 Speakers for the Week:
Saturday: Rev Robert Atkins in Wales 6.15am and Rev Robert Atkins in Wales 2.30am
Sunday: Rev Robert Atkins in Wales 6.15am, Sharon Grenham Toze 4.30 and 5.30am
Monday: Rt Revd Nick Baines 6.15am, Sharon Grenham Toze 1.30 and 3.30am
Tuesday: Rt Revd Nick Baines 6.15am, Rabbi YY Rubinstein 9.15am and Sharon Grenham Toze 1.30 & 3.30am.
Wednesday: Rev Rob Marshall 6.15am. Nagaraja 9.15am and Sharon Grenham Toze 1.30 & 3.30am.Rev
Thursday: Rev Rob Marshall 6.15am, Rev Rose Hudson Wilkin 9.15am and Sharon Grenham Toze 1.30 & 3.30am.
Friday: 6.15am, Major Charles King 9.15am and Rev Simon Woodman in Wales 3.30am.

Thought for the Day 7.48am R4
Speakers for the week:
Saturday Rhidian Brook
Tuesday Rt Rev Tom Butler (7.45am)
Wednesday Rev Dr Giles Fraser
Thursday Anne Atkins

30 December – 5 January

Prayer for the Day Led by Rt Rev George Stack (not Sunday)
Pause for Thought R2 Speakers for the Week:
Saturday: Rev Simon Woodman 2.30am
Sunday: Rev Simon Woodman 6.15am,
Monday: 6.15am, Father Brian D’Arcy 9.15am
Tuesday: 6.15am, Rabbi YY Rubinstein 9.15am, Laitavera 1.30am & 3.30am
Wednesday: Jess Wild 6.15am, Nagaraja 9.15am, Laitavera 1.30am & 3.30am
Thursday: 6.15am, Rev Rose Hudson Wilkin 9.15am, Laitavera 1.30am & 3.30am
Friday: 6.15am, 9.15am, 3.30am Speakers not known at present

Thought for the Day R4
Speakers for the week:
Monday Rev Dr Colin Morris
Tuesday Rt Rev Tom Butler
Wednesday Dom Anthony Sutch OSB
Thursday Anne Atkins
Friday Rev Dr Giles Fraser