6 h. ago Inside the Royal Family's Christmas church service at Sandringham and how you can attend

In keeping with tradition, the Royal Family will attend the annual Christmas church service at St Mary Magdalene Church, where hundreds of royal fans will flock to catch a glimpse of the family in their festive best

Politics

10 h. ago Rocket strikes, prayer and nightly calls from the Pope: Inside Gaza’s only Catholic church at Christmas

As Catholics in Gaza gather for Christmas, Father Carlos Ferrero tells Bryony Gooch how they have maintained faith in the face of widespread devastation

Events

13 h. ago Syrian church marks Christmas and reaffirms faith months after deadly attack

Hundreds of worshippers have gathered at Mar Elias Church in Syria to remember those lost in a suicide attack

Events

19 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Pope Leo expresses ‘great sadness’ at Russian rejection of truce calls

Pontiff calls for ‘day of peace’ on Christmas Day after huge Russian attack in Ukraine kills three and cuts power to several regions. What we know on day 1,400Pope Leo XIV has called for a global truce on Christmas Day, expressing “great sadness” that “apparently Russia rejected a request” for one. “I am renewing my request to all people of good will to respect a day of peace – at least on the feast of the birth of our saviour,” Leo told reporters at his residence near Rome on Tuesday. Russia has repeatedly rejected calls for a ceasefire in its war on Ukraine, saying that would only give a military advantage to Kyiv. The pope said: “Among the things that cause me great sadness is the fact that Russia has apparently rejected a request for a truce.” Referring to conflicts in general, Leo said: “I hope they will listen and there will be 24 hours of peace in the whole world.”A massive Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine has killed three people and cut power to several Ukrainian ...

Events

34 h. ago Grandpa hit by drink driver on his way back from Christmas church service

Passers-by tried to help as he lay helpless fighting for his life

Events

56 h. ago Pope Leo signals further reforms of Church in Christmas speech to cardinals

Leo lauded his predecessor Francis’s efforts to foster a more inclusive Church

Politics

4 d. ago Kate Middleton's Christmas struggle dilemma with George, Charlotte and Louis

The Royal Family will make one of their most high-profile appearances of the year with their annual Christmas Day walk to church - and the Princess of Wales will be who all the fans will turn out to see

Politics

4 d. ago Christmas spirit returns to Bethlehem after ceasefire in Gaza

At midnight on Christmas Eve, the hymn “The Night of Christmas” will ring out in Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, built on the site where Christians believe Jesus was born

Events

4 d. ago My weirdest Christmas: I was flirting wildly with my crush – then a rogue wave ruined everything

At a Barbados beach barbecue, I attempted to attract the attention of handsome Dwayne. I ended up with drenched hair and no sunglasses or bikini topChristmas in Barbados is different. Forget snow and scarves – we do Christmas in flip-flops, sweating through church services and pretending to feel festive because there’s tinsel on a palm tree. Everyone’s singing Mary’s Boy Child as if they’re auditioning for Caribbean Idol, and someone’s auntie is halfway through a bottle of Mount Gay before 11am.But my weirdest Christmas was when I was about 19 – that magical age when you’re convinced you’re grown, but you still have braces. My mum had taken me “back home” to spend the holidays with family. I was excited because 1) I needed a break from university, 2) I could finally escape the British winter, and 3) I was ready to find a husband. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Holy Land's top Catholic leader visits Gaza parish, greeted by children in Santa hats and keffiyeh

The top Catholic leader in the Holy Land has visited the Gaza Strip’s only Catholic church, sharing a message of Christmas hope and support as conditions in the war-torn territory slowly improve while the Israel-Hamas ceasefire holds into its third month

Politics

6 d. ago Shocking moment camel kicks woman in face and knocks her out at Texas megachurch Christmas celebration

Shocking video showed the incident at Champion Forest Baptist Church's annual Christmas Spectacular.

Events

6 d. ago Woman injured after being kicked by real camel used in church’s Nativity performance: ‘This could’ve been deadly’

Champion Forest Baptist Church’s annual ‘Christmas Spectacular’ in Houston, Texas, attracted some 30,000 people last year, according to the establishment

Events

7 d. ago Gen Z are behind huge surge in Christmas churchgoing with 60% of youngsters set to attend a festive service

Some 45 per cent of UK adults say they expect to visit a church this Christmas - up from 40 per cent last year, according to the study for Tearfund which said this was being driven by Gen Z.

Politics

8 d. ago Perth church receives early Christmas gift with funding for critical refurb

The 19th century building on York Place will pick up £19,000 of support from the National Churches Trust.

Politics

9 d. ago Priest who once dealt drugs as an addict now gives out food at foodbanks

Pastor Mick, who once lived on the streets with addictions, brings Christmas hope to thousands with his Church on the Street

Economics

1 week ago Church of England issues ‘Christmas is for all’ message ahead of Tommy Robinson carols rally

Bishop of Manchester criticises those who use Christmas ‘as a prop in a dim culture war’ as clergy warn against ‘populist forces’ exploiting Christianity

Politics

1 week ago Church of England responds to fake outrage that ‘Christmas is cancelled’ ahead of Tommy Robinson carols rally

Bishop of Manchester criticises those who use Christmas ‘as a prop in a dim culture war’ as clergy warn against ‘populist forces’ exploiting Christianity

Politics

1 week ago C of E responds to Tommy Robinson’s carols event with ‘Christmas is for all’ message

Release of 43-second video comes as senior church figures speak out against dangers of Christian nationalismThe Church of England has released a video in response to a Christmas carols event on Saturday being organised by the far-right activist Tommy Robinson amid calls from a growing number of senior church figures to challenge Christian nationalism.In the 43-second video, Christmas Isn’t Cancelled, posted on the church’s YouTube channel, more than 20 people from the archbishop of York to schoolchildren speak about the “joy, love and hope” of Christmas. The message is “a simple reminder that Christmas belongs to all of us, and everyone is welcome to celebrate”, the C of E said. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago ‘The holy family is in hiding’: nativity scenes at US churches push back on ICE

Displays include handcuffed baby Jesus and Mary wearing a gas mask in wake of Trump’s immigration crackdownSatirical holiday displays mocking Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown, portraying the newborn Jesus and his parents, Mary and Joseph, as victims of heavy-handed tactics by the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE), have appeared across the US.One striking retelling of the Christmas story, at Lake Street church in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, features baby Jesus lying in a manger in the snow – but wrapped in the kind of thin, foil blankets given out in emergencies and regularly as bedding to ICE detainees, and with his wrists zip-tied. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Church of England warns against fake outrage that ‘Christmas is cancelled’ ahead of Tommy Robinson carols rally

Bishop of Manchester criticises those who use Christmas ‘as a prop in a dim culture war’ as clergy warn against ‘populist forces’ exploiting Christianity

Events