Keeping faith with Christmas

Five Christian writers give their different perspectives on what Christmas means today.

An eye on simplicity
Catholic convert and Tory MP Ann Widdecombe says it is time to forget the fuss and get back to basics at Christmas.

Seeing chaos at Christmas
Angela Berners-Wilson, the first woman in Britain to be ordained into the Anglican church, says a difficult trip to Bethlehem taught her a valuable lesson in faith.

Comfort in a cold climate
Bob Holman, a voluntary neighbourhood worker on the Easterhouse council estate in Glasgow, brings seasonal cheer to a deprived area.

Tall tales and pantomime
James Veitch, associate professor of religious studies at Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand, explodes the nativity myth.

The first Christmas
Leslie Griffiths, a Methodist Minister at Wesley's Chapel in London, says the people of Haiti opened his eyes to the meaning of Christmas.