Neil Rees
The little-known prayers written by Jane Austen
It is now 250 years since the birth of Jane Austen whose books and their many screen adaptations are beloved around the world. Not many people know that she was a devout Christian who also wrote devotional prayers. This is the story …
The Anglican worldview of Jane Austen’s life and novels
16 December 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of novelist Jane Austen, who was born in southern England in 1775. Her novels are steeped in biblical analogy and practical theology. This is the story…
The little-known history of the X in Xmas
Many Christians worry that writing “Xmas” crosses Christ out of Christmas, but the story of the X is an ancient, deeply rooted Christian custom. This is the story ….
Who was the historical King Herod?
At Christmas time we read about King Herod who ruled Judea at the time of Jesus’s birth, and he is the villain of many Nativity plays. But King Herod was a real historical character. This is the story …
The three Christian meanings of Advent
The great Cistercian monk St Bernard of Clairvaux spoke of Advent in three distinct senses, and Christian writers and sermons have echoed his insight down the centuries. This the story …
Who was St Birinus and why is he called the Apostle to the West Saxons?
3 December is the day to remember St Birinus, known as the Apostle to the West Saxons. This is his story …
The history of the Advent calendar
1 December is when many people open the first door on their Advent calendar. These are so common that few people realise it is a relatively modern tradition. This is the story …
What is Advent Sunday and why do churches mark it?
The fourth Sunday before Christmas is called Advent Sunday. It falls at the start of December, or sometimes as in 2025, at the end of November. In churches of many denominations, Advent marks the coming of the Christmas season. This is the story …
Who was St Andrew and why is he important?
30 November is St Andrew’s day. He was the brother of St Peter, the first of Jesus’s disciples, and later an Apostle. This is the story …
What is the significance of Thanksgiving for Christians?
Every fourth Thursday of November, Americans mark Thanksgiving. American Thanksgiving is a relatively modern tradition, but the principle behind it has a long biblical basis and liturgical history. This is the story …
Who was St Edmund the Martyr and why do we remember him?
20 November is St Edmund’s Day, celebrating the king and martyr who was once the patron saint of England. This is his story.
Who was Hilda of Whitby and why is she important?
19 November is the day when Anglicans remember St Hilda of Whitby. She was a powerful and important woman in the history of the English Church. This is her story.
Who was St Margaret of Scotland and why is she important?
16 November is the day when people remember St Margaret of Scotland. She was born in Hungary and became Queen of Scotland, where she restored the religious life of the country. This is her story …
What is the Filioque Controversy in the Nicene Creed?
The Nicene Creed was formulated 1,700 years ago in AD 325 at the Council of Nicaea. Later, one clause in it called the Filioque was a cause of division between the Eastern and Western Church. This is the story …
Who was Alfred the Great and why is he commemorated in some Church traditions?
26 October is the day when many churches remember the Christian King Alfred the Great. He was driven by biblical principles and was the only English king to translate parts of the Bible into English. This is the story …
Who was St Luke and what do we know about him?
18 October is St Luke’s Day. But who was St Luke, and what do we know about him? This is the story …