The BBC has announced a range of religious programming which will air on BBC One and BBC Two throughout this year’s festive period.
A Very Country Christmas – BBC One
To mark Advent 2020, Cotswold farmer and naturalist Ellie Harrison, along with city-based broadcaster and Christmas-enthusiast, Angellica Bell, will celebrate three very different country Christmases.
They’ll be joining in the making, shaping, gathering and worshipping of three beautiful and distinct regions of Britain as they prepare for their North Eastern, South Western and Scottish Christmases.
Advent across the UK is a month-long festivity leading, for many, to a very special Christmas celebration. However, what’s amazing about this ancient period – known as the coming – are the different ways we prepare according to local customs, culture and traditions.
From a mining based Christmas Crib in Durham to the Cornish cathedral where Nine Lessons and Carols started in order to empty the pubs and get people to church via ancient Scottish country cooking, we celebrate our glorious, different traditions but also our shared spiritual heritage across the UK.
A Very Country Christmas for BBC One, is made by Tern Television. It was commissioned by Head of Daytime and Early Peak, Carla-Maria Lawson. The Commissioning Editor is Daisy Scalchi and the Executive Producers are Brendan Hughes and Harry Bell.
Songs of Praise: The UK’s Favourite Carol – BBC One
From the glorious surroundings of St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Aled Jones counts down the top ten carols as voted for in a UK wide online poll.
With an array of star guests including Sir Cliff Richard, Katherine Jenkins, The Priests, The Kingdom Choir and the Choir of St Paul’s, with the carol voted as the UK’s favourite performed by one of the finest voices in the world, Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli.
A panel of carol experts including Gareth Malone, Pam Rhodes, Karen Gibson, Mark De-Lisser and the Director of Music at St Pauls Andrew Carwood, explain the fascinating stories and histories behind some of the UK’s best loved carols.
Songs of Praise: The UK’s Favourite Carol for BBC One, is made by Avant Media and Nine Lives Media. It was commissioned by Head of Daytime and Early Peak, Carla-Maria Lawson.
The Commissioning Editor is Daisy Scalchi and the Executive Producers are Emyr Afan for Avanti Media and Cat Lewis for Nine Lives Media.
Carols from King’s – BBC Two
One thing that won’t change this Christmas is the traditional, much-anticipated moment when a solo chorister sings Once In Royal David’s City, in the candlelit chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, as the well-loved celebration of the Christmas story begins once more.
The world-famous King’s College Choir sings carols old and new, including the Sussex Carol (arr. Willcocks), In the Bleak Mid-Winter (arr. Wilberg), Still, Still, Still (Bob Chilcott), Candlelight Carol (John Rutter) and O Come All Ye Faithful.
First broadcast over 65 years ago, Carols from King’s was inspired by and complements BBC Radio 4’s A Festival Of Nine Lessons And Carols.
Filmed without a congregation and with the choir socially distanced to protect against Coronavirus, the television programme gives viewers an opportunity to enjoy the stunning architecture of the chapel, the exquisite singing of the choir, and appreciate readings from the King James bible and seasonal poetry, read by members of King’s College.
Carols from King’s for BBC Two, is made by BBC Studios Factual Salford. It was commissioned by Patrick Holland, Channel Controller, BBC Two and Clare Sillery, Head of Commissioning, Documentaries, History and Religion.
The Commissioning Editor is Daisy Scalchi and the Executive Producer is Alan Holland.
Midnight Mass – BBC One
The traditional Christmas Eve celebration of Midnight Mass comes live from the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul, Clifton, Bristol.
The Bishop of Clifton, the Rt Revd Declan Lang, will preside and the Mass will be introduced by Canon Bosco MacDonald, Cathedral Dean, who will also preach. Choir members, socially distanced to protect against Coronavirus, will sing well-loved carols including O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night and Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.
The Mass setting is Missa Universalis, composed by the cathedral’s director of music, Richard Jeffrey-Gray and the organist is Stephen Bryant.
Director: Matthew Woodward
Producer: Victoria Simpson
Executive producer: Hugh Faupel
Christmas Day Service – BBC One
An uplifting, joyful celebration of the birth of Jesus, with members of the Church of God of Prophecy, live from Aberdeen Street Church in Birmingham.
The service will be led by Senior Pastor Peter Sutcliffe, from Nechells Outreach Centre and Bishop Paul McCalla, Regional Presiding Bishop.
Choir members and musicians, socially distanced to protect against Coronavirus, will sing some of the best-loved carols, including Joy to the World, Mary’s Boy Child and O Come All Ye Faithful.
Series Producer: Pamela Hossick
Executive Producer: Chris Loughlin
On Christmas Night – BBC One
Ashley Banjo narrates the story of the first Christmas from Luke’s Gospel, when angels appeared to shepherds to proclaim the news of Jesus’s birth. With a musical performance to close Christmas Day.
Producer/Director: Garry Boon
Executive Producer: Alan Holland
The Archbishop of Canterbury’s New Year Message – BBC One
The Most Revd Justin Welby speaks about the challenges of 2020 and where he finds hope for the year ahead. Speaking from the chapel at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, the Archbishop reflects on his experience volunteering as a hospital chaplain during the pandemic – and what it has taught him about the of community and caring for each other.
Producer/Director: Garry Boon
Executive Producer: Alan Holland