One of the highlights on television at this time of year are the Royal Institute Christmas lectures - with world leading experts explaining to the children complex topical subjects. This year is about space and the search for life in the universe - wonderful photos of the planets in our solar system

Our 40th year has been filled with ups and downs. As 2025 comes to a close, let’s look back at some key moments.

"The more I gambled, the more I lost and the more extreme the consequences were... " Read our Blog on gambling addiction and Chances, the Cyrenians service supporting those affected, by clicking the link : buff.ly/ON02Ksx

🔴 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐖𝐚𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥, Valletta, Malta🇲🇹 📷 anthobglt_ #łovemalta #visitmalta #valletta #malta

A really good piece on The Year of Mainstreaming Migration Nastiness - and saying here what those of us living with and resisting the calamitous consequences on the most marginalised have been seeing, experiencing and saying for years.

An absolutely stunning photo by Damian - #photography

🧵 ① Our core mission remains full justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia, both for her assassination and for her investigations. In 2025, there was some progress but full justice remains elusive. #DaphneCaruanaGalizia

Our volunteers start their new lives in Scotland with many skills to offer. Ismael can be the first step to someone finding safety. Donate to our winter appeal today to help people receive the support that they need to begin to rebuild their new lives in safety. 🧡 ow.ly/y5wo50XyHxr

🎙️ #VoicesFromTheFrontline Meet Viktor Horodetskiy, paramedic with MOAS in Ukraine. He joined MOAS after discovering the organization on social media and seeing the impact of MOAS work. 💙💛 #VoicesFromTheFrontline #MOAS #MOASUkraine #Teamwork #SavingLives

"I’ve worked with nurses who are at risk of becoming homeless, because private rental rates are so high."' Read this weeks article in our continuing partnership with Edinburgh Inquirer. buff.ly/imspUQ7

One of our amazing volunteers wrote this lovely poem that we just had to share with you. Creating community is at the heart of what we do - if you'd like to get involved you can find out about our volunteering ops here : cyrenians.scot/support-us/v...

Bit of a food & pub crawl today with two friends who are visiting. Victoria then Sannat via Xlendi. I learnt food & drink are very good & very cheap here compared to the UK! Six years have untethered me from the price of life back there. The problem is they are eating & drinking themselves to death!

A new trial gave homeless people £2,000 to spend however they choose. What they spent the money on may surprise you.

Barney freshly groomed for the New Year - #labradoodle

Great winter photo by Ron - another talented photographer for me to follow - #photograohy

Maltese Father & Son Paint Luzzu on Mellieħa stairs, Malta🇲🇹 📷 lizbennet93 #lovemalta #malta #visitmalta #mellieha

Looking forward to reading this. Michael Curry "this wonderful book calls us to wake up and see that there is no going back to small limited notions of God and the sacred". Bill McKibben "the Celtic spiritual tradition is a clear flowing stream that can help us in the hot and thirsty moment."

Taking Barney out - weather still mild here but due to get colder soon - #labradoodle

Barney Stewart’s loan spell at the #pars came to a perfect conclusion on Saturday as he netted the winning goal in the Fife derby against Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park. The 21-year-old’s emotional farewell capped off a memorable three-month spell that saw him score eight goals in just 12 appearances.

Another photo that makes me feel cold - winter is coming - thanks Chris - #photography.

Great to see the magnificent goal from Scott McTominay celebrated at the National Portrait Gallery.

When it’s too much — take a time-out. 🚶‍♀️🚶If tensions rise, it’s OK to step away. A short walk, a breath of fresh air or a quiet minute can give you space to settle. Return when you’re steadier; conversations held in calm are far more likely to heal than harm. Learn more: vimeo.com/1061280227?s...

If you really want to ‘put the Christ back into Christmas’ make refugees welcome.

This stunning photo shared by mjlinde is by an unknown photographer #photography

📍Wandering the streets of Mdina, Malta🇲🇹 📷 animus_an #łovemalta #malta #visitmalta #mdina

Good morning from Barney - #labradoodle

Great wintry photo by Richard - #photography

What if Jesus was born today under Israeli Apartheid? Watch 👇

Big derby match tomorrow against Raith Rovers who are on a good run at the moment unlike the #pars who have been losing matches. At least we now have our manager back who was suspended for four matches for his outspoken, although accurate, comments on refereeing mistakes in our games.

Spectacular photographs competing for awards - #photography - thanks Catherine for sharing these.

"Like many across the UK, I have hosted several asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants, through the brilliant Refugees at Home organisation. While my son was between the ages of three and seven, we offered our home as emergency accommodation to young men from Sudan and Afghanistan."

Welcome the stranger, be the light against the darkness. My Christmas message on behalf of the @scottishgreens.org 🕯️

When the star is gone, when the kings are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among the people, to make music in the heart.

As we celebrate #ChristmasDay thank you to the thousands of women and men who are working in #homecare and #carehomes today and all those unpaid #carers. You are the best of us at all times and we need to do better by you. #careaboutcare #carecreates

Thank you @zackpolanski.bsky.social for a much more important Christmas message. We need to stop this evil rhetoric and demonising of fellow human beings. We cand and must do better as a human race.

Making a start on my Christmas reading with this book by John Studzinsku. “By taking action to support others, adapting our specialist knowledge and skills, and giving our time, encouragement and inspiration, we can all make a difference and create positive change for a person or community”.

No matter our beliefs, Jesus’ message of opening our hearts to those who are different from us has never felt more important than this Christmas. I want to wish everyone celebrating in London and around the world a very Merry Christmas.

😇 The procession with the Baby Jesus in Malta🇲🇹 📷 ruralmalta #łovemalta #malta #visitmalta #christmas

Pope Leo calls for kindness to strangers and the poor in Christmas message

Wishing everyone a happy Christmas when it comes.

Superb photo by Tony - #photography

How a London couple's WW2 experiences led them to help refugees

Our chief executive Sabir Zazai shares his festive message of hope as we approach the end of a challenging year. Thanks for being part of our story. Your kindness brings light to thousands of lives. And together, we can make the next chapter even brighter.

All charities welcome donations to their Christmas appeals but please consider regular giving by standing order if you are able.These are relied on by charities to meet the essential office costs that ensure sound administration and proper governance @cyrenians.bsky.social @trussellscot.bsky.social

Just ordered John Philip Newell's book "sacred earth, sacred soul" on Celtic christianity. At a time when the far right would promote a heretical distortion of Christianity it will be good to learn more about a faith that acknowledges the importance of the environment and the feminine.

"As Presbyterians, we are called to seek justice and love our neighbors. Standing with those who suffer is exactly what the Church should be doing. I am grateful for a leader willing to show up and remind the world that these people are not forgotten by God."

Try listening to understand, not to reply. Holiday stress can make you feel unheard. Active listening - giving full attention, asking open-ended questions - helps people feel seen. Often that’s the first step toward peace. Learn more: www.scottishconflictresolution.org.uk/parents-and-...