For Rev Jill Clancy, prison chaplain at HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow, Christmas is a time of bringing hope and light to those living in difficult circumstances. Here, she has written a reflection reminding us to keep those spending the Christmas period in prison this year, as well as those affected by the crimes of others, in our prayers.

For many, Christmas is a family time full of fun, food and presents. As a prison chaplain in HMP Barlinnie, we know that at this time of year many of the men in our care struggle. Some are dads and they are missing out on the family fun time, for others it brings memories of difficult Christmases when they were living in volatile and broken homes and Christmas each year brings painful memories.

We also find that many are glad to be in our care at this time of year. They know that they will get a Christmas dinner, that they will have a roof over their heads and that the chaplains, at least, will have a Christmas card and a selection box for them.

At Christmas and throughout the year we try and bring life, hope, love and light into what can be a very dark place at a very dark time of year. We have a carol concert where the Salvation Army Brass Band come in and we sing our hearts out to all the traditional carols. Last year, my student Jillian Storrie and I performed a two-woman nativity play. It was hilarious; angel wings and feathers were flapping all around.

Christmas is a time when we can share a story of a fragile wee boy; a child that was born into difficult circumstances away from home, a child who had to flee his home with his parents for his own safety. A child who would grow up to set the prisoner free, proclaim Good News to the poor, give sight to the blind and set the oppressed free.

Christmas in prison does not have to be all doom and gloom. It is a time when there is a wonderful story to tell and we chaplains tell it and share it and then go on sharing it throughout the year in practical ways as well as through our times of worship.

For the dads missing their children, we have a Christmas party and we get to share that with them and their children. On the week running up to Christmas, any child visiting the prison will get a present so no child will do without. It is the most wonderful time of the year and we make sure that it can be the best time possible in such difficult circumstances for families and all those affected by having a loved one in prison.

So, when we are opening our presents, when we find ourselves complaining about all the running around we have to do and not fitting everyone around our dinner table, please keep in mind the child, out of no fault of their own, who doesn't have their dad with them. Or the guy on the street actually longing to get lifted [into prison] just to get to be somewhere he knows Christmas will be marked.

Also we remember in prayer those affected by the crimes of others and ask a special blessing of peace and healing to be on them.

Merry Christmas.