REAL LIVES

18 ‘I want to make the most of every moment’ — We catch up with Great British Bake Off contestant Martha Collison
26 ‘Duke gave me something to look forward to’ — In a particularly tough year, a horse brought comfort and hope to Hazel Southam
33 Women at work — Meet the Christian shepherdess
40 Love came down — Heartwarming stories from two readers about their very special Christmases

NEWS & VIEWS

39 Veronica Zundel — she looks back on 2016 and forward to the new year
43 Your letters — on encouraging words, celebrating Christmas and enjoying Woman Alive
48 Bookclub — Advent reading and an interview with Fr Richard Rohr
51 Next month — Looking ahead to our January issue

MAKE LIFE BETTER

11 Time to sparkle — Joni Eareckson Tada reminds us that we are to be lights in the world
24 The gift of hospitality — Meet three women who are using their skills to make a difference in the lives of others
36 The beauty of giving — The stories behind some of this year’s fairly traded Christmas gifts

GOOD ADVICE

12 How to go from swamped to sane — Four busy women share the lessons they have learned
28 If you don’t want to do Christmas — Penelope Wilcock suggests you do things differently
30 When Christmas is bittersweet — The Bible reminds us there is a time to mourn, says Anne Le Tissier
41 Single File — How to handle Christmas after a divorce
42 Nature’s medicine cabinet — Five ways to use cranberries
50 Man Alive — Rob Parsons shares his tips for a stress-free Christmas

BRIGHT IDEAS

7   December Notes — Inspiration and ideas of things to do over the festive season
21 Bring out your creativity — Make your own Christmas bread, seasonal nut roast and poinsettia decorations  
34 It’s showtime! — How Christians in Dundee are bringing the Christmas story to their town