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christmas

  • 18 Dec 2009
    Radical freedom in the kingdom of sweets

    Edwin Denby’s attempt to link the famous Nutcracker ballet with the message of Christmas – from “envy and pain” to “invention and social harmony” – offers only part of the potential religious content of this seasonal ritual, says Spencer Dew.

  • 15 Dec 2009
    Christmas advert to feature Mary and Joseph in bed

    As Atheist adverts claiming “There’s Probably No God” are set to adorn buses in New Zealand, a church has launched a controversial billboard for Christmas, depicting Mary and Joseph in bed together.

  • 15 Dec 2009
    Arms company surprised by carol singers with a difference

    Employees of the arms company Lockheed Martin experienced a surprise seasonal visit when activists turned up in festive costume to sing “updated” carols. The singers focused on the company's role in making nuclear weapons.

  • 10 Dec 2009
    Boris Johnson under fire over church that "exorcises" gays

    The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is facing strong criticism for participating in a carol service at a church that carries out “exorcisms” of gay people. The incident is being compared to Ken Livingstone's hosting of a fundamentalist Muslim.

  • 8 Dec 2009
    Putting the class (war) back into Christmas

    Although he didn't realise it, Gordon Brown's re-introduction of class into political debate was a thoroughly 'Christmassy' thing to do.

  • 2 Dec 2009
    Episcopal leader urges focus on compassion for Advent

    Advent is "a time of waiting, but it is not a time to sit around and wait for someone to do something," Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori says in her seasonal message.

  • 30 Nov 2009
    Santa gets stuck in and a new Christmas tradition takes hold

    I was filled with a warm, fuzzy, Yuletide glow when I heard some news earlier today, which looks as if it will do a little to put the more radical Christ back into Christmas (

  • 29 Dec 2008
    Muted Christmas follows violence in India

    Christians in India have been muted in Christmas festivity this year, following violence in Orissa, Karnataka and the tragic Mumbai attacks.

  • 28 Dec 2008
    The Christ child, the vulnerable and human rights

    Confusing divine greatness with human notions of power and grandeur can end up justifying human rights abuses, says Savi Hensman. The Christmas story is a radical corrective.

  • 27 Dec 2008
    Christmas means compassion not crusading

    Those who 'crusade for Christmas' will end up losing the very festival they would defend, says Jonathan Bartley, because they miss its true meaning.