Baptism is much more than a comforting ritual, says Savi Hensman. It is to be marked with the sign of a condemned criminal, to refuse imprisoning and narrow identities, to face up to mortality, and to be immersed in a new world where justice and peace reign.

Armed forces chaplains play a crucial role in providing pastoral support to people who face danger and death on a daily basis. But chaplains' independence is compromised by the fact that they are members of the forces themselves. Churches that take a stand on wider issues of peace and war are rarely willing to question the ethics of the armed forces. Why has this situation arisen? And how can we change it?

The aim of the recent Scotland Bill, says Simon Barrow, is to please the growing number of Scots who favour more powers for their own parliament, while simultaneously clawing back a large sum of money from the Westminster block grant and undermining already-waning support for the SNP ahead of the elections in May 2011.

If we are fixated upon privilege or special treatment, we will miss the Gospel message that transformational relationships are at the heart of the faith of Jesus, says Jill Segger

The current ills of the Western church are more to be found in sickness within than in threats without, suggests Simon Barrow, echoing a recent landmark comment from the Pope. Likewise the way forward is through radical reformation not fearful reaction.

Drastic cuts imposed by the UK government will result in a sharp rise in child poverty, the Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates, but children’s services run by local authorities are already severely overstretched in many areas. The situation is likely to become much worse says Savi Hensman.

It is good to enjoy the carol services, nativity plays, mince pies and mulled wine, says Jill Segger. But let us not ever mistake them for anything more than a nudge towards the truth.