BBC Announce Christmas Line-up

This year’s Christmas morning service on BBC One will come live from Bradford Cathedral, reflecting Bradford’s status as UK City of Culture.

The service will weave together carols, readings, and prayers from across cultures and include the Lord’s Prayer spoken in languages from across the Cathedral’s diverse worshipping community.

BBC Announce Christmas Line-up

The BBC press release says it promises “a lively family service” including “a dynamic performance of the Christmas Gospel story by the Revd Canon Ned Lunn, Canon for Intercultural Mission and the Arts, a reflection on the power of cross-cultural encounters, by the Dean of Bradford, the Very Revd Andy Bowerman and it will be led by Revd Henriette Howarth, Minor Canon for Congregational Life. 

The Choir of Bradford Cathedral, directed by Geoffrey Woollatt, Organist and Director of Music, will lead the congregation in well-loved Christmas carols such as O Come, All Ye Faithful and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

On radio, Midnight Mass will be broadcast live from Liverpool Cathedral, led by the Dean, the Very Revd Dr Sue Jones, with a sermon from the Interim Bishop, the Rt Revd Ruth Worsley.

On Radio 4, the early morning Christmas Day service will be broadcast live from Leeds Roman Catholic Cathedral at 7 a.m.

On Christmas Eve, Carols from King’s, pre-recorded in the candlelit Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, and led by the Dean, the Very Revd Dr Stephen Cherry, will be broadcast on BBC1, in addition to the live broadcast of A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols which goes out at 3 p.m. on Radio 4.

On Christmas morning, the Revd Kate Bottley returns to her Radio 2 slot to present Good Morning Christmas (8 a.m. to 10 a.m.), with “reflection and celebration” as audiences carry out their traditions.

And on Boxing Day, on Radio 4, the Bishop of Washington, the Most Revd Mariann Budde, is to deliver a Christmas meditation on the theme of trust, reflecting on the events of the past year, including her own sermon at the inauguration of President Trump.

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s New Year message this year will be delivered by the Archbishop-designate, the Rt Revd Sarah Mullally, who is due to be installed in March.

Other highlights include seasonal episodes of Sunday Worship, exploring both the music of Sir John Rutter and the 500th anniversary of the publication of the Tyndale New Testament.

The Daily Service Carol concert will be broadcast at 9.45 a.m. during Christmas week, and on the Friday before Christmas, Radio 3 presents a Gospel Christmas special at Watford Colosseum.

Tim Pemberton, Head of Religion and Ethics for BBC Radio, said:

“This Christmas, BBC Radio offers a rich and reflective selection of religious programming designed to entertain, uplift, and inspire. 

‘Through thoughtful explorations of faith, music, and reflection, we hope to bring listeners moments of peace, warmth and wonder throughout the festive season.”