From The Editor

Follow the Editor on Twitter @LifeWorkEditor CHRISTMAS 2020

SUBSCRIBE to Life and Work and SUPPORT the vital and vibrant work of the Church of Scotland

Packed every month across 52-pages with news, features

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, Morsel of salvation, Held in

Evolution debate

Cartoon: Bill McArthur I am grateful to the

The Big Question

This month’s question is: ‘How will this Christmas be different for you?’

Needs and wants

Ron Ferguson highlights the magic of Christmas and explains why the most important gifts cannot be bought

Today, tomorrow and for eternity

The Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair explains why the message of the Christ Child is not just for Christmas

A Covid Christmas

Jackie Macadam describes some of the challenges of marking Christmas in 2020

From Stevenston to shorthand

Jackie Macadam meets church member John Dawson whose shorthand skills have taken him from Ayrshire to the Houses of Parliament

The Big Picture

Harlaw reservoir by Wendy Sodergren Christmas tree at

A lochside parish

John R Hume charts the history of a church on the shores of Loch Leven

October Assembly business

Thomas Baldwin rounds up the business which took place at the online General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on October 2 and 3

Personal faith and politics

Politics student Sophia Johnston shares personal reflections about her faith and how it has shaped her world view

Call to stand in solidarity with Ethiopia

Leanne Clelland reports on a new resource for churches at Christmas

DRIVE-IN SERVICE

Bo’ness Old Kirk in West Lothian held a

BARN HARVEST

The rural Perthshire parish of Mid Strathearn held

DISPLAY WITH A DIFFERENCE

With a limit to the number of people

40 YEARS LONG SERVICE

Christine Mountain is pictured with her certificate for

ONLINE MEETING FOR INTERNATIONAL PRESBYTERY

Following the cancellation of its scheduled meeting in

Seed for life

Maggie Thorpe introduces a charity set up by church members which is helping to feed school children in Malawi

Unlocking the Magnificat

Ruth Harvey considers the message of Luke 1: 46 – 55

LOVE IS THE WAY

Holding onto Hope in Troubling Times 

EVERYDAY BLESSINGS

Inspirational words of comfort and hope 

FROM SRI LANKA WITH LOVE

Published by: TSL Publications Price: £15.34 Written by

J I PACKER

Published by Hodder & Stoughton Price: £14.99 Whilst

December 2020 Cryptic Crossword – Compiled by Peter Chamberlain

Across 1 ‘This --babe was born’, (carol) (7)

December 2020 Cryptic Crossword – Compiled by Peter Chamberlain

Across 1 ‘This --babe was born’, (carol) (7)

Christmas can’t be stolen

The Very Rev Dr John Chalmers reflects on the message at the heart of a children’s Christmas tale amid the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on this year’s celebration