More stories in culture

• 

  How St Francis created the Nativity scene, with a miraculous event in 1223

  Vanessa Corcoran | Thu 26 Dec 2019 10:37 GMT

  Around the Christmas season, it is common to see a display of the Nativity scene: a small manger with the baby Jesus and his family, shepherds, the three wise men believed to have visited Jesus after his birth and several barnyard animals.One might ask, what are the origins of this tradition?

• 

  What makes Christmas movies so popular?

  S. Brent Rodriguez-Plate | Wed 25 Dec 2019 8:56 GMT

  If you are one of those people who will settle in this evening with a hot cup of apple cider to watch a holiday movie, you are not alone.

• 

  The amazing growth of the Christmas tree

  François Lévêque | Tue 24 Dec 2019 16:52 GMT

  A few hundred years ago, who would have dreamed that the humble Christmas tree would one day be an immense global success? Certainly not Martin Luther, who is said to have decorated a tree with candles to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Nor Prince Albert, who several centuries later set up the first Christmas tree in Windsor Castle.

• Carey Mulligan opens up about grandmother's dementia at Southwark Cathedral carol service

  Stephanie Velez | Thu 19 Dec 2019 17:25 GMT

  Actress Carey Mulligan told supporters of the Alzheimer's Society about her grandmother's "heartbreaking" dementia during the charity's Christmas carol service at Southwark Cathedral on Wednesday night.

• 

  'We're not done' - Bethel worship leader still praying for a miracle for unconscious daughter

  Stephanie Velez | Wed 18 Dec 2019 16:14 GMT

  Bethel worship leader Kalley Heiligenthal has thanked supporters for uniting in prayer for her daughter Olive, who has been unconscious since the weekend.

• 

  Lauren Daigle sings for inmates in maximum security prison

  Stephanie Velez | Wed 18 Dec 2019 12:14 GMT

  Chart-topping Christian singer Lauren Daigle has brought some Christmas cheer to inmates at a maximum security prison.

• 

  Stormzy will be reading from Luke's Gospel for the BBC on Christmas Day

  Staff writer | Wed 18 Dec 2019 11:40 GMT

  Stormzy will be rounding off BBC One's Christmas Day programming with a reading of the Christmas story from Luke's Gospel.

• 

  'Thank the Lord!' - wife of Third Day's Mac Powell leaves hospital after brain aneurysm

  Stephanie Velez | Tue 17 Dec 2019 18:50 GMT

  Third Day lead singer Mac Powell and his wife Aimee are celebrating after she was given the all clear to leave hospital after suffering a brain aneurysm.

• 

  Conservative campaign group calls for Hallmark boycott after channel backtracks on LGBT ads

  Staff writer | Tue 17 Dec 2019 17:19 GMT

  One Million Moms is calling on supporters to boycott the Hallmark Channel after it caved in to pressure from LGBT campaigners to run ads showing a lesbian couple kissing.

• 

  Hugh Grant admits he was 'plain wrong' about marriage and having children

  Stephanie Velez | Mon 16 Dec 2019 19:06 GMT

  The 'Love Actually' star now admits that after finally tying the knot at the ripe age of 57 last year, he had marriage - and being a parent - all wrong

• 

  Bethel worship leader Kalley Heiligenthal asks for prayer after daughter pronounced dead

  Stephanie Velez | Mon 16 Dec 2019 18:12 GMT

  Bethel worship leader Kalley Heiligenthal has made an impassioned plea for prayer after her young daughter Olive was pronounced dead at the weekend.

• 

  Hallmark apologises after withdrawing same-sex couple adverts

  Staff writer | Mon 16 Dec 2019 12:06 GMT

  Hallmark has backtracked on its withdrawal of same-sex TV adverts after it came under fire from high profile members of the LGBT community, including talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and Democratic presidential contender Pete Buttigieg.