Tag: Christmas

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The Nativity and Contemporary Art

The birth of Jesus has always been a popular subject for art going right back to wall paintings in the Roman catacombs. Since then there have been thousands of paintings and sculptures made about the first Christmas, by many of the greatest names in art history.

So it’s no surprise that many contemporary artists have also attempted to depict the nativity. Interestingly as modern art has developed on the one hand, and Christianity’s privileged position in western society has slipped, Christmas-related works of art have become less straightforward and more complex and challenging

Conversations with Jesus: in this episode Jesus speaks to Santa

Over a lovely glass of mulled wine Santa and Jesus share a mince pie and discuss heavy schedules, the time space continuum and the real meaning of Christmas.

The Six Secrets of Santa

Draw a Father Christmas. Right now. In your mind at the very least. Was he fat? White? Old? Why? There are a lot of images which we see so often, that it's easy to forget we've created them. Or chosen them at least. And we may never stop to question why we've chosen to make them look this particular way. But when a psychologist says - "Draw a... house" - you might be shocked to learn how much more your drawing says about you, than it does about any house you've ever lived in. And the bloke you draw trying to squeeze down the chimney has got even more surprises in his sack. Secrets in fact. And not his secrets – ours! So what does Santa say about the things we really want (not just) for Christmas?

Not even Christians believe in the virgin birth

Last year a piece of research showed that the UK as a nation is a little confused about the details of the story behind Christmas. This year we’re not even sure we believe it. ‘What’s the problem’ you ask? Well, I’m wondering how someone can call himself or herself a Christian and not believe the basics. Even more than that I’m wondering what you think.

why are we waiting?

It is Advent Sunday this Sunday and we get to open the first window on the chocolate advent calender that my daughter has bullied me into getting on Monday 1st December...I can scarcely hold the children back from opening this first window and their impatience to get Christmas going is already starting to wear me out. So, why are we waiting? Why don't we just get on with it?

Doctor Who and Jesus - 2 - The Next Doctor

Did you see the tantalising preview of the Doctor Who Christmas Special on Children in Need a few days ago? David Tennant in fine form, a snowy Victorian market, a weird unearthly creature emerging from the shadows, and David Morrissey as the title character of the episode: The Next Doctor. But something seems a bit fishy here. Is that really a sonic screwdriver that his assistant Rosita handed him? Why is Rosita’s name so close to that of Rose? And why do ‘the next Doctor’s’ actions remind me of a famous saying of CS Lewis about Jesus?

The Christmas Story in Under 30 Seconds

A competition has been launched challenging the public to tell the story of Jesus’ birth in just thirty seconds. It’s the latest campaign from the Churches Advertising Network whose previous Christmas campaigns included putting a baby’s head on Che Guvera’s body and describing the Virgin Mary as having a "bad hair day".

St Nick’s makeover

How can one old man hand-deliver presents to 2 billion children in one evening? How can the white-bearded one be here when we just saw him round the corner in his grotto in the shopping centre? Why is 'Santa' an anagram of 'Satan'?

Karaoke carols

Enjoy a carol service in the comfort of your own computer screen with a choice of 10 karaoke carols. We provide the music and words, you provide the voice. All the favourites are here: Silent Night, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Away in a Manger, O Come all ye Faithful, and more.

Steve Turner’s poems

Select from the module contents in the column to the right one of 12 poems taken from Steve Turner's books: Tonight We will Fake Love, Nice and Nasty, Up to Date and The King of Twist. Clicking this link will open a second browser window.

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