Kirk minister insists that Christmas is not cancelled

People are making a greater effort to reach out to others this Christmas despite not being able to celebrate in the usual way, a church minster has said.

The Very Rev Dr Derek Browning puts the final touches on the Christmas tree inside Morningside Parish Church

Morningside Parish Church in Edinburgh will not stage its usual Christmas Eve service this year due to the pandemic, but it will hold a smaller, socially distanced service on Christmas Day.

This will be live-streamed so people not able to attend can still watch.

Very Rev Dr Derek Browning, minister of the church, said: "There has been a lot of talk about Christmas being cancelled this year.

Dr Browning d holds the Christmas day order of service, as he puts them on socially distanced chairs inside Morningside Parish Church

"Yet what I am seeing and hearing all over the community, and all of the Church, is quite the opposite.

"People gathering on doorsteps to ring bells at 6pm on Christmas Eve, people phoning round or 'Zooming' friends and family to make sure there is some kind of connection over these days.

"Neighbours looking out for those on their own, or who are frail.

"This year, people are making a greater effort to reach out, and that's wonderful.

"At Morningside Parish Church, we're sad not to be celebrating Christmas Eve in the usual way, with hundreds attending, but we are holding a smaller Christmas Day service, and will be live-streaming these services on these days, and on the Sundays afterwards, until we can all meet again.”

Dr Browning added: "This year of all years, kindness is the theme.

"I hope we all find Christmas, and its true meaning, this year."

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.