Franciscan Nativity and Carolling

'Cult of the Holy Manger:'   Suite 101 writes about Francis, Jacapone di Todi and their Franciscan influence, not only on  on the development of the nativity scenes, but also on  those familiar  carols that we love to sing at this time of year.

Then for UK readers, they've flagged up the new  drama 'The Nativity,' by Tony Jordan, due to be screening on the BBC over four evenings next week. From the copy, it looks to be an exciting, slightly alternative look at the traditional birth narratives; worth giving a look.