BBC RELIGIOUS FESTIVE PROGRAMMING REVEALED FOR 2024 SEASON

The BBC will showcase a vibrant range of festive programming across television and radio this Christmas. The content will include live worship, musical celebration, traditional carols and spiritual contemplation.

My Life at Christmas

In each episode of this three part series, Anita Rani will talk to a well-known guest to discover what makes Christmas special for them, and how it’s been a marker for memorable moments in their careers, family life and faith.

This year her guests include two of Britain’s best-loved actors - Dame Sheila Hancock and Rudolph Walker, familiar to millions as Patrick Trueman in EastEnders; and also TV personality and podcaster Spencer Matthews.

Over the course of each programme we'll see how Christmas is a time to reflect as each guest shares what brings them joy, meaning and purpose. And we might even find out what’s on their Christmas wish lists this year…

Songs Of Praise

Sunday 1 December

On the first Sunday of Advent, Aled Jones and the Rev. Kate Bottley host the final of BBC Young Chorister Of The Year with judges Katherine Jenkins, Bob Chilcott and Yolanda Brown, with the previous two programmes available on iPlayer.

Songs of Praise: A Christmas Celebration from Huddersfield Town Hall

Sunday 15 December

Aled Jones hosts a spectacular celebration of carols from the historic Huddersfield Town Hall with guests including West End star Marisha Wallace and Huddersfield Choral Society.

Songs of Praise: Candlelit Christmas

Sunday 22 December

Aled Jones is back to welcome you to an intimate candlelit celebration of favourite carols with guests Katherine Jenkins, and the BBC Young Choristers of the Year, from the village church of Croston.

Midnight Mass From St Mary’s Church, Warwick

The traditional Christmas Eve service and Blessing of the Crib live from the Collegiate Church of St Mary’s, Warwick. The service will be introduced and led by the Rector of St Mary's, the Revd Canon Angus Aagaard, with a sermon from the Rt Revd Martin Gordon, the Bishop of Goma, who is visiting from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Director of Music, Oliver Hancock, will lead the St Mary’s Choir. Music will include the well-loved carols O Little Town of Bethlehem, It Came Upon The Midnight Clear and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and O Come All Ye Faithful.

Christmas Morning Service From Halifax Minster

A traditional Yorkshire Christmas, celebrating the wonder and joy of the Nativity, live from the historic splendour of Halifax Minster. The minster choir, accompanied by the famous Hammonds Brass Band, will lead the congregation with a host of well-loved carols, including a special arrangement of While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks to the old Yorkshire folk tune - On Ilkley Moor Baht'at - one of the earliest tunes for this carol.

The service will be led by the Vicar of Halifax Minster, the Revd Canon Hilary Barber, who will bless a 'live crib' of animals, mother and child. The Bishop of Huddersfield, the Rt Revd Smitha Prasadam, will tell of the hope of the Christmas story in her sermon.

On Christmas Night

Wednesday 25 December

As Christmas Day draws to a close, Kate Garraway narrates the story of the first Christmas from Luke's Gospel, when angels appeared to shepherds to proclaim the news of Jesus’s birth followed by a choral musical performance.

Carols From King’s

Sunday 24 December

The candlelit Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge is the stunning setting for this much anticipated annual celebration of the Christmas story, told through music, readings and prayer with an invited congregation of college members and guests. This year marks the seventieth anniversary of the first carol service being broadcast.

Broadcast details will be confirmed in due course.