Programme Information

Midnight Mass From Westminster Cathedral

Thursday 24 December

11.45pm-1.00am BBC ONE (Copy update 16 December)

• www.bbc.co.uk/religion

The first Mass of Christmas is celebrated live in the spectacular setting of Westminster Cathedral. The homily is given by the Most Rev Vincent Nichols, celebrating his first Midnight Mass as Archbishop of Westminster, and a thousand-strong congregation sing well-loved carols including Once In Royal David's City and O Come All Ye Faithful. Music sung by the world-famous Cathedral Choir includes O Magnum Mysterium (Lauridsen), Lux Aurumque (Whitacre) and the Mass setting is Charpentier's Messe du Minuit pour Noel.

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The Glory Of Christmas –
Christmas Morning Live Service From Chester Cathedral

Friday 25 December

10.15-11.15am BBC ONE

• www.bbc.co.uk/religion

The Roman town of Chester is the location for BBC One's Christmas Morning service. The Cathedral's Christmas Eucharist is a family service for the whole community. Both of the Cathedral's choirs take part in this joyful celebration of the birth of the baby Jesus and children from the Cathedral's Sunday School re-enact the Nativity scene.

The Cathedral has played an important role in the walled city over the centuries and has a rich and fascinating heritage. It is a living community of prayer and worship and a centre of excellence in church music, and plays a key role for the Christian community across Chester, the Wirral and Cheshire.

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Aled Jones visits the Holy Land for a Songs Of Praise Special

Aled Jones visits the Holy Land to discover what happened on that first Christmas night when Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

He meets people who live there now and discovers what life was like for Joseph and Mary, as well as for the Shepherds and the Wise Men who travelled from afar.

Aled also performs a festive song and joins singers at Christ Church in Jerusalem for some classic carols.

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