More stories in culture

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  Here's why Christmas movies are so appealing this holiday season

  S. Brent Rodriguez-Plate | Sat 26 Dec 2020 12:25 GMT

  Holiday movies are popular not simply because they are "escapes," as my research on the relation between religion and cinema argues. Rather, these films offer viewers a glimpse into the world as it could be. This is particularly true with Christmas movies.

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  Why celebrating Christmas is good for your mental health

  Nilufar Ahmed | Thu 24 Dec 2020 8:30 GMT

  There's plenty of evidence to suggest that entering wholeheartedly into the spirit of the season – while keeping to 2020's limitations – will be very good for our mental health. After a tough year, this might be exactly what we need.

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  Bethlehem and beyond: how Christianity's earliest sites were identified

  Ken Dark | Mon 21 Dec 2020 9:12 GMT

  many people travel to the Holy Land throughout the year to visit places of religious importance – whether in Jerusalem, Nazareth or around the Sea of Galilee. But when did Christians start to consider places as holy and begin travelling to them on pilgrimage?

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  Lauren Daigle 'saddened' by mayor's call to keep her off New Year's Eve show

  Jennifer Lee | Sat 19 Dec 2020 14:01 GMT

  Christian artist Lauren Daigle has spoken out in response to a controversy over her appearance at an outdoor worship gathering led by Sean Feucht.

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  The challenge of Christmas is to remember what it's all about

  Rhidian Brook | Wed 16 Dec 2020 11:56 GMT

  The challenge for us this advent is finding the space to think about why the baby Jesus came at all in the first place.

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  Christmas markets: their long history and changing future

  Aurélie Bröckerhoff and Cristina Galalae | Tue 15 Dec 2020 14:23 GMT

  Wooden huts with twinkling fairy lights, festive hubbub, and the aromas of roasted chestnuts and glühwein – this picture-postcard setting is recreated annually across UK towns and cities in December. This year, however, most Christmas markets have been cancelled, meaning that 2020 will be a year without urban festive cheer.

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  Beth Moore calls 'Trumpism' dangerous

  Jennifer Lee | Tue 15 Dec 2020 13:52 GMT

  Beth Moore has ignited a debate on social media about "Trumpism" and "Christian nationalism", which she said were "seductive" and "dangerous".

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  Meeting the real, living Jesus this Advent

  Christian Today | Sun 6 Dec 2020 13:59 GMT

  For many people, 2020 will be remembered as a year like no other. Penelope Wilcock is hoping that her new book, 'Into the Heart of Advent', will speak into the challenges of this year by bringing people closer to Jesus.

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  Is The Crown the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

  David Robertson | Wed 2 Dec 2020 9:28 GMT

  The Crown is trial by screen, and as such, is cruel and heartless, writes David Robertson.

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  Re-imagining theatre during a Covid Christmas

  Staff writer | Tue 1 Dec 2020 10:26 GMT

  Christian theatre group 4Front is launching a digital Advent calendar and livestream performances this Christmas to bring some festive cheer to people after a challenging year.

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  HBO's new transgender documentary is 'exploitative'

  Ryan Foley | Thu 26 Nov 2020 12:14 GMT

  A new HBO Max documentary raises new questions about the transgender debate and how parents play a role in shaping their children's gender identity, and it has prompted calls to boycott the streaming service.

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  Pharrell Williams goes back to his church roots with new gospel choir Netflix series

  Stephanie Velez | Wed 18 Nov 2020 10:45 GMT

  Pharrell Williams' new docuseries about putting together a gospel choir debuts this month on Netflix.