Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | New Life | 20161219 | 'Suffering is not a question that demands an answer, it's a mystery that demands a presence.' In a series exploring the enduring significance of the Nativity story, Professor of Neonatal Paediatrics John Wyatt reflects on the fragility of new life and his experiences on the neonatal ward at Christmas. Producer: Dan Tierney. John Wyatt on the fragility of new life and working on a neonatal ward at Christmas. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond. |
| 02 | Star Of Wonder | 20161220 | 'Science itself is like the Star of Bethlehem - leading Wise Men - and Wise Women - on journeys of investigation and discovery that, if we are fortunate, will echo down the years to inspire future generations to explore, to learn and to grow.' In a series exploring the enduring significance of the Nativity story, space scientist Monica Grady reflects on the symbolic power of the Star of Bethlehem. Producer: Dan Tierney. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond. |
| 03 | Nativity Characters - Beyond The Christian Story | 20161221 | 'The same figures of Jesus and Mary appear in the Quran, but these characters don't tell the same story.' In a series exploring the enduring significance of the Nativity story, Professor of Islamic Studies, Mona Siddiqui reflects on what Jesus and Mary represent to Muslims beyond the Christian story of the incarnation. Producer: Dan Tierney. What Jesus and Mary represent to Muslims beyond the story of the Incarnation. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond. |
| 04 | Black Magus | 20161222 | Theologian Robert Beckford reflects on the magi as a symbol of cultural inclusion. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond. |
| 05 | Holy Innocents | 20161223 | 'They will be acutely aware of the empty spaces in the pews which should have been filled by brothers, sisters, parents, children and friends whose lives were cut short by a reign of terror that sickened the whole world.' In a series exploring the enduring significance of the Nativity story, columnist Tim Montgomerie reflects on the resonance of the Feast of the Holy Innocents for Christians in the Middle East. Producer: Dan Tierney. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond. |