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PM hails 'year of progress'
David Cameron has used his Christmas message to say that he feels Britain is making "real progress", strengthening its economy and creating jobs. He also revived his concept of the "Big Society".
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Welby posts Christmas video message on Instagram
The Archbishop of Canterbury has posted a Christmas video message on Instagram.
The Most Rev Justin Welby appears in the short clip on the photo-sharing website as part of the Church of England's social media campaign called Christmasmeans.
Mr Welby, who has more than 48,000 followers on Twitter, joined Instagram in October in his drive to spread the Christian message to the app's 150 million users worldwide.
In his Christmas message, the Archbishop says: "Christmas means that, through Jesus, God shows unconditionally that he loves us. I pray that he gives you a very blessed Christmas."
The video, posted on Lambeth Palace's Instagram account, is also being tweeted by the Archbishop and through the Lambeth Palace Twitter page, lambethpalace.
Miliband praises Christmas workers in message
In his Christmas message, Labour leader Ed Miliband paid tribute to those people who would be spending time over the festive season caring for the lonely and the homeless.
"As Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, we should also take time to think of all those alone or suffering at this time of year," he said.
"I would like to pay particular tribute to the many people, churches and charities who will be looking after those who are alone or homeless this Christmas time.
"We should also pay tribute to those who will be working so that the rest of us have an enjoyable break, especially our medical staff, our police and our armed forces, thank you for your service."
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Cameron: 2013 'significant year for Christian faith'
2013 has been a "significant year for the Christian faith", David Cameron has said in his Christmas message.
The Prime Minister said:
PM: 'Year of progress' for Britain in Christmas message
Britain made "real progress" in 2013 in strengthening its economy and creating jobs, David Cameron has said in his Christmas message.
In a message which otherwise stressed the religious aspects of Christmas, the Prime Minister described the year which is coming to an end as a period in which "our country pulled together to overcome the challenges we face".
And he used the message to revive his concept of the "big society", which critics claim has been quietly sidelined since playing a major role in the Conservative general election campaign.
"Looking back, 2013 has been a year when our country pulled together to overcome the challenges we face. Together we have made real progress on strengthening our economy and creating more decent jobs so that people can provide for their families.
"And there are those millions who keep on strengthening our society too - being good neighbours, running clubs and voluntary associations, playing their part in countless small ways to help build what I call the 'big society'."