Christmas Meditation

First
Broadcast

Comments

20071226

The hopes and fears of all the years, with the Rt Rev Lord Richard Harries of Pentregarth.

20081226

Dr James Hanvey leads a spiritual reflection on the incarnation.

20091226

Children's author Michael Morpurgo reflects on the magic of storytelling at Christmas.

20101226

With Cambridge University's Professor of Evolutionary Palaeobiology, Simon Conway Morris.

20111226

Canon Mark Oakley reflects on the meaning of Christmas.

20121226

Just as everyone is doing the washing up and waving off the last guests Catherine Fox reflects on how the message of Christmas can feel both too big and very small at the same time.

Having just moved to the city of Liverpool, she takes us into Liverpool's vast Anglican cathedral which is the largest in the country. And yet there inside the tallest, widest, longest nave, architect Giles Gilbert Scott put one of his smallest buildings - the red telephone box. You could step inside, pick up the receiver and phone anyone in the world.. But what would you say?

Using memories from childhood Christmases, and experiences of being a mother herself, she spends time thinking about the big and small things in life which can help to define our faith and our questioning. And with the nativity story all around, where do such thoughts take us to on Christmas night?

In a profound, honest and down to earth reflection Catherine Fox mixes her own personal style - which will be well known to all those who regularly read her blogs or know her in the Twitter community as @FictionFox - with some beautiful Christmas carols to present an evocative and thought-provoking close to Christmas Day.

A reflection on the meaning of Christmas with author and blogger Catherine Fox.

20131226

A reflection on the meaning of Christmas with author and columnist Peter Hitchens.

For many, Christmas Day is a special time of celebration with family and friends after weeks of excited preparation. For others, it's a time of solitude to be dreaded following weeks of commercial and social pressures.

As another Christmas Day draws to a close, Peter Hitchens draws on his own memories and experiences as he reflects on the questions: What was it all for? and Was it all worth it?

A reflection on the meaning of Christmas, with author and columnist Peter Hitchens.

20141226

Milton Jones reflects on Christmas.

20151226

A reflection on the meaning of Christmas, with Tina Beattie, theologian and writer. Tina looks back on 2015 and tells us how events have influenced her Christmas. In her first year as a Grandmother, she recalls the birth of her own son, on Boxing Day. He is now a father and her memories reflect on how generations of family cope with the fears and hopes of the coming year.

The music of Simon and Garfunkel, The sounds of Silence, Christmas in the Holy Land: St Luke's Gospel 2:3-12, Monks of the Syrian Church and Kim Andre Arnesen's Magnificat, Tina Beattie's music choice for the Christmas meditation.

Readers: Juliet Stevenson and Sir John Gielgud

Tina Beattie is a member of the Catholic Women Speak who have published "Catholic Women Speak: Bringing Our Gifts to the Table" published by Paulist Press: catholicwomenspeak.com.

Producer: Carmel Lonergan.

A reflection on the meaning of Christmas, with theologian and writer Tina Beattie.

20161226

From Uncles dressed as Santa Claus to peanuts for presents, whether it's spent in church, with the family or the A&E department. Having turned 24 this year, poet and spoken word artist Harry Baker looks back on his own advent calendar of Christmases so far.

World Poetry Slam Champion Harry Baker published his debut anthology The Sunshine Kid in December 2014. His show of the same name was voted 'Best Spoken Word Show' of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2015. Baker is now a fully-fledged maths graduate and full-time poet/adventurer. His work has been translated into 15 different languages, in addition to being shared and viewed millions of times worldwide on TED.com. In 2016, he took a three-month #Haztralasia tour through New Zealand, Australia, Dubai, China and Thailand, and is excited to be sharing his unique mix of humour, heart and hopefulness.

Producer Carmel Lonergan.

Poet and spoken word artist Harry Baker looks back on his Christmases so far.

20171226

A spiritual reflection in words and music to bring Christmas Night to a close from Sarah Teather, Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service UK. This personal meditation finds the joy of Christmas breaking through in the messy painful struggles of life, including family tragedy and the lives of refugees. Featuring beautiful choral settings by Francis Poulenc, James Macmillan and David Bednall, the programme weaves music and text to explore profound themes of human life and the Christmas story.

Sarah Teather is a former Westminster MP and Government Minister but has been working for the Jesuit Refugee Service since June 2015.

Producer: Garry Boon.

A reflection to bring Christmas Night to a close from Sarah Teather.

20191226

A reflection on the meaning of Christmas with actor and comedian Sally Phillips.

As Christmas Day draws to a close Sally Phillips explores making room for the new and protecting the vulnerable in ourselves and each other. St Francis of Assisi's special devotion to the Child Jesus led to the first living Nativity Scene being created in 1223 - the image of which displays a child born into a world of poverty, humility and simplicity - Sally reflects on this and its meaning.

On Christmas Night, after all of the turkey, trimmings and potential tribulations are over, Sally questions love on the edges, the hopeful counter motion of love and the notion that where injustice occurs generosity and love rise up.

Producer: Alexa Good

A reflection on the meaning of Christmas with actor and comedian Sally Phillips.

20201226

A reflection on the meaning of Christmas with novelist and screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce.

As Christmas Day draws to a close Frank Cottrell-Boyce reflects on the idiosyncrasies of the day and the uniqueness of this year's festivities. Amidst the new toys, ripped wrapping paper, and leftover turkey, Frank contemplates stars of wonder, recurring traditions, and why, even in the darkest times, the spirit of Christmas is never far away.
Producer: Ruth Thomson.

A reflection on the meaning of Christmas with Frank Cottrell-Boyce.

20211226

Just after midnight on Boxing Day, broadcaster and journalist Adrian Chiles reflects on the true meaning of Christmas, looking back at his memories over the past five decades.

For some, Christmas will be a quiet and possibly isolating experience; for others it will be a long day spent entertaining family and friends. In a personal reflection on what it means to Adrian, he'll capture his thoughts and feelings at this festive time of year.

Producer: Alexa Good

A reflection on the meaning of Christmas with broadcaster and journalist Adrian Chiles.

20221226

Where Are We Now?

After a year of upheaval and change at home and abroad, actor director Adjoa Andoh reflects on childhood Christmases past, and Christmases present as children grow and the world shifts. Weaving in Psalms, music and memories from her childhood Christmases such as the snow globes, the wooden nativity scene- the white plastic polar bear, and the sound of Harry Belfonte singing Marys Boy Child with her dad strumming along at home on the guitar. Join Adjoa in her hopeful quest for a good year ahead.

Producer: Carmel Lonergan

Editor: Tim Pemberton

Photo Credit: Suki Dhanda

A reflection on the meaning of Christmas with Adjoa Andoh.

Episodes

First Broadcast	Comments
20071226	The hopes and fears of all the years, with the Rt Rev Lord Richard Harries of Pentregarth.
20081226	Dr James Hanvey leads a spiritual reflection on the incarnation.
20091226	Children's author Michael Morpurgo reflects on the magic of storytelling at Christmas.
20101226	With Cambridge University's Professor of Evolutionary Palaeobiology, Simon Conway Morris.
20111226	Canon Mark Oakley reflects on the meaning of Christmas.
20121226	Just as everyone is doing the washing up and waving off the last guests Catherine Fox reflects on how the message of Christmas can feel both too big and very small at the same time. Having just moved to the city of Liverpool, she takes us into Liverpool's vast Anglican cathedral which is the largest in the country. And yet there inside the tallest, widest, longest nave, architect Giles Gilbert Scott put one of his smallest buildings - the red telephone box. You could step inside, pick up the receiver and phone anyone in the world.. But what would you say? Using memories from childhood Christmases, and experiences of being a mother herself, she spends time thinking about the big and small things in life which can help to define our faith and our questioning. And with the nativity story all around, where do such thoughts take us to on Christmas night? In a profound, honest and down to earth reflection Catherine Fox mixes her own personal style - which will be well known to all those who regularly read her blogs or know her in the Twitter community as @FictionFox - with some beautiful Christmas carols to present an evocative and thought-provoking close to Christmas Day. A reflection on the meaning of Christmas with author and blogger Catherine Fox.
20131226	A reflection on the meaning of Christmas with author and columnist Peter Hitchens. For many, Christmas Day is a special time of celebration with family and friends after weeks of excited preparation. For others, it's a time of solitude to be dreaded following weeks of commercial and social pressures. As another Christmas Day draws to a close, Peter Hitchens draws on his own memories and experiences as he reflects on the questions: What was it all for? and Was it all worth it? A reflection on the meaning of Christmas, with author and columnist Peter Hitchens.
20141226	Milton Jones reflects on Christmas.
20151226	A reflection on the meaning of Christmas, with Tina Beattie, theologian and writer. Tina looks back on 2015 and tells us how events have influenced her Christmas. In her first year as a Grandmother, she recalls the birth of her own son, on Boxing Day. He is now a father and her memories reflect on how generations of family cope with the fears and hopes of the coming year. The music of Simon and Garfunkel, The sounds of Silence, Christmas in the Holy Land: St Luke's Gospel 2:3-12, Monks of the Syrian Church and Kim Andre Arnesen's Magnificat, Tina Beattie's music choice for the Christmas meditation. Readers: Juliet Stevenson and Sir John Gielgud Tina Beattie is a member of the Catholic Women Speak who have published "Catholic Women Speak: Bringing Our Gifts to the Table" published by Paulist Press: catholicwomenspeak.com. Producer: Carmel Lonergan. A reflection on the meaning of Christmas, with theologian and writer Tina Beattie.
20161226	From Uncles dressed as Santa Claus to peanuts for presents, whether it's spent in church, with the family or the A&E department. Having turned 24 this year, poet and spoken word artist Harry Baker looks back on his own advent calendar of Christmases so far. World Poetry Slam Champion Harry Baker published his debut anthology The Sunshine Kid in December 2014. His show of the same name was voted 'Best Spoken Word Show' of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2015. Baker is now a fully-fledged maths graduate and full-time poet/adventurer. His work has been translated into 15 different languages, in addition to being shared and viewed millions of times worldwide on TED.com. In 2016, he took a three-month #Haztralasia tour through New Zealand, Australia, Dubai, China and Thailand, and is excited to be sharing his unique mix of humour, heart and hopefulness. Producer Carmel Lonergan. Poet and spoken word artist Harry Baker looks back on his Christmases so far.
20171226	A spiritual reflection in words and music to bring Christmas Night to a close from Sarah Teather, Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service UK. This personal meditation finds the joy of Christmas breaking through in the messy painful struggles of life, including family tragedy and the lives of refugees. Featuring beautiful choral settings by Francis Poulenc, James Macmillan and David Bednall, the programme weaves music and text to explore profound themes of human life and the Christmas story. Sarah Teather is a former Westminster MP and Government Minister but has been working for the Jesuit Refugee Service since June 2015. Producer: Garry Boon. A reflection to bring Christmas Night to a close from Sarah Teather.
20191226	A reflection on the meaning of Christmas with actor and comedian Sally Phillips. As Christmas Day draws to a close Sally Phillips explores making room for the new and protecting the vulnerable in ourselves and each other. St Francis of Assisi's special devotion to the Child Jesus led to the first living Nativity Scene being created in 1223 - the image of which displays a child born into a world of poverty, humility and simplicity - Sally reflects on this and its meaning. On Christmas Night, after all of the turkey, trimmings and potential tribulations are over, Sally questions love on the edges, the hopeful counter motion of love and the notion that where injustice occurs generosity and love rise up. Producer: Alexa Good A reflection on the meaning of Christmas with actor and comedian Sally Phillips.
20201226	A reflection on the meaning of Christmas with novelist and screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce. As Christmas Day draws to a close Frank Cottrell-Boyce reflects on the idiosyncrasies of the day and the uniqueness of this year's festivities. Amidst the new toys, ripped wrapping paper, and leftover turkey, Frank contemplates stars of wonder, recurring traditions, and why, even in the darkest times, the spirit of Christmas is never far away. Producer: Ruth Thomson. A reflection on the meaning of Christmas with Frank Cottrell-Boyce.
20211226	Just after midnight on Boxing Day, broadcaster and journalist Adrian Chiles reflects on the true meaning of Christmas, looking back at his memories over the past five decades. For some, Christmas will be a quiet and possibly isolating experience; for others it will be a long day spent entertaining family and friends. In a personal reflection on what it means to Adrian, he'll capture his thoughts and feelings at this festive time of year. Producer: Alexa Good A reflection on the meaning of Christmas with broadcaster and journalist Adrian Chiles.
20221226	Where Are We Now? After a year of upheaval and change at home and abroad, actor director Adjoa Andoh reflects on childhood Christmases past, and Christmases present as children grow and the world shifts. Weaving in Psalms, music and memories from her childhood Christmases such as the snow globes, the wooden nativity scene- the white plastic polar bear, and the sound of Harry Belfonte singing Marys Boy Child with her dad strumming along at home on the guitar. Join Adjoa in her hopeful quest for a good year ahead. Producer: Carmel Lonergan Editor: Tim Pemberton Photo Credit: Suki Dhanda A reflection on the meaning of Christmas with Adjoa Andoh.