Frank Delaney reflects on the language of the Creed as part of Radio 4's celebration of a 1,000 Years Of Spoken English. Producer Simon Elmes
A Child Is Born. Mark Tully celebrates Christ's birthday in the company of poets, musicians, artists, historians and people from across the centuries and throughout the world. Producer Beverly McAinsh. Repeated at llpm
Richard Uridge uncovers more stories and characters from the British countryside.
Producer Karen Gregor. Repeated Thursday 30 December 1.30pm
Sheena McDonald and Allan Little present a celebration and reflection in words and music for Christmas morning, with special reports from around the world. Producer James Parkin
Celebrating the miraculous birth of Christ and reflecting on the significance of Bethlehem, the City of Bread. With Dominican priest and biblical scholar Father Jerome Murphy O'Connor and pastor of the Lutheran Evangelical Christmas Church Dr Mitri Rahab. Director of music Gordon Stewart.
The programme has declared itself a tinsel-free zone: no mistletoe, no fairy lights, just good wholesome fair. John Peel presents highlights of the series and a mix of personal stories. With writers Anne Enright and Phil Hogan.
Producer Chris Berthoud. PHONE: [number removed] E-MAIL: home.truths@bbc.co.uk. Repeated at 10pm
The often alarming story of Aladdin, his magic lamp and his mother's laundry, retold in thrilling, squeaky-clean (well, almost) detail. Marvel at the depth of Widow Twankey's voice; thrill at the story which inspired Wagner's Rinse Cycle; gasp as Aladdin's magic lamp gives new meaning to the words 'light entertainment'.
Repeated tomorrow 7.15pm
Comedy, page 7; Webwatch, page 41
Simon Hoggart selects the best of the topical quiz from 1999.
(Repeated from yesterday 6.30pm)
A festive edition of the antidote to panel games recorded at the Golders Green Hippodrome.
Special guest Stephen Fry joins regulars Barry Cryer, Graeme Garden, Tim Brooke-Taylor and chairman Humphrey Lyttelton. Colin Sell accompanies on the merry organ. Producer Jon Naismith. Repeated at 6.05pm
Derek Cooper is joined by an array of guests who reveal their favourite food of the year.
Travel writer Sara Wheeler delves into the diaries and memoirs of intrepid explorers of the Antarctic to see how they celebrated Christmas Day.
(Repeated tomorrow 9pm)
The popular French classic by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, translated and dramatised by Bonnie Greer. An aviator believes he is alone in the Sahara Desert until he meets an unusual space traveller - a wise little boy. The child - the Little Prince - has fantastical tales to tell about his amazing interplanetary journey.
with Natasha Pyne, Stephen Thorne and Gemma Saunders. Producers Keith Waithe. Director Pam Fraser Solomon
The Queen's Christmas message to the peoples of the Commonwealth.
SirTrevor McDonald introduces his favourite literary extracts. Repeated from yesterday 10pm
At this time of year in the west Yorkshire village of Marsden, a group of men get together to put on an all-male pantomime. This programme follows the making of Beau Geste, or The Camel Strikes Back from first rehearsals to costume fittings, dance routines and the opening night.
For details see Tuesday 21 December 11am. Revised repeat
Medieval bestiaries were the David Attenboroughs oftheirtime, though they were inaccurate as well as hugely popular.
Descriptions of the cute and not-so-cute beasts reveal the bizarre workings of the medieval mind. But do our present ideas get any nearer to the truth of what animals are all about? Producer Matt Thompson Repeated at midnight
Brian Sibley with the big Christmas Day picture on the world of film, including a festive film quiz, Roy Disney on remaking Fantasia and a bumper guide to the pick of films on television.
WRITE TO: Talking Pictures, BBC Radio 4, London, W1A 1AA. E-MAIL: talking.pictures@bbc.co.uk
a Clue Repeated from 12.30pm
Steve Punt and H ugh Dennis host a Christmas special of the comedy show featuring sketches, songs and stand-up with a subversive twist. With regulars Bert Tyler-Moore , George Jeffrie , Mitch Benn , Emma Clarke and a surprise special guest. Producer Aled Evans. Repeated Tuesday December 28 11pm
Tom Sutcliffe and guests discuss the week's cultural highlights, including Oroonoko, Biyi Bandele 's adaptation of Aphra Benn 's novel about a 17th-century West African prince captured and sold by an English slave trader.
The second of two programmes about angels.
People have been meeting angels for centuries, but what shape do these encounters take? Repeated from Wednesday 22 December 3.30pm
Emily Buchanan examines festive traditions through the medium of English language programmes from around the world. She looks at why the Czechs are filling their baths with carp, what is cooking for the Jewish festival of Hanukkah and why New Zealanders are keen to Stamp out flirting Santas. Producer Laura McCullagh
Laurie Lee 's childhood in the Gloucestershire countryside inspired one of the century's best-loved autobiographies. In the second instalment of Nick Darke 'stwo-partdramatisation, young
Loll experiences his first taste of the adult world. Repeated from Sunday 19 December 3pm
John Peel presents highlights of the series and a mix of personal stories. With writers Anne Enright and Phil Hogan. Repeated from 10am
Repeated from 6.05am
Repeated from 5pm
A spiritual, intellectual and religious meditation on the subject of Christmas. Producer James Parkin
