Christmas countdown day 15: your reality of Christmas

Re-evaluating the story and experiences of the season.

Lianne Howard-Dace

Lianne Howard-Dace is a writer and trainer, with a background in church and community fundraising.

A shopping street is crowded by taxi cabs and buses while above it a Christmas illumination of an angel hangs over all.

Jamie Davies, via Unsplash.

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The Christmas Countdown

It’s the season to be jolly, stressed, and all round Christmassy. On the Seen & Unseen Aloud podcast, we’re here for you with our Aloud Christmas Countdown!

Every day in December, we’ll drop some of the best seasonal content from Seen & Unseen Aloud. From how to survive Christmas, reviews of the best Christmas movies and the origin story of Santa Claus.

For when you’ve got your hands full of mince pies and baubles, but you still want to hear some thoughtful content, subscribe to Seen & Unseen Aloud for the Christmas Countdown.

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Throughout the year, the Seen & Unseen Aloud brings you the week’s best articles, in a short 20 minute podcast episode. Browse the index for episodes from Seen & Unseen Aloud, Re-enchanting and GodPod.

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Re-enchanting

23 July 2025

1 min read

Re-Enchanting... Live at Bradford Literature Festival

Chine McDonald, Lamorna Ash and Francis Spufford, on belief and how to navigate our 'age of crisis'.

Nick Jones

Nick is the senior editor of Seen & Unseen.

a book festival panel listen to one of them speak.

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Recorded live at Bradford Literature Festival 2025, Belle Tindall brings together three of the most influential voices of the moment: Chine McDonald, Lamorna Ash and Francis Spufford. Together, they speak about what belief is, what it isn't, and how people are navigating our 'age of crisis'.

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Since Spring 2023, our readers have enjoyed over 1,500 articles. All for free.
This is made possible through the generosity of our amazing community of supporters.

If you enjoy Seen & Unseen, would you consider making a gift towards our work?

Do so by joining Behind The Seen. Alongside other benefits, you’ll receive an extra fortnightly email from me sharing my reading and reflections on the ideas that are shaping our times.

Graham Tomlin
Editor-in-Chief