In Britain today, Christmas has been hijacked by affluence. But I doubt that the carpenter from Nazareth would be comfortable in such an atmosphere of extravagence.

Instead he would probably feel more at home with me at Easterhouse, in a dingy hall where those who cannot afford expensive presents are glad just to meet and share fellowship at this time of year.

Easterhouse is probably the largest council scheme in Britain and houses some of the UK's most underpriviledged families. Over 80% of its pupils receive a grant which is an indicator that they come from homes with very low incomes.

Nonetheless, Christmas is a special and joyful time for its residents - many of whom are special in their own right.

Captain Christmas

I moved to Easterhouse 12 years ago with my wife Annette. We soon became involved in the Christmas celebrations when Salvation Army leader Captain Eric Buchanan - having learnt about my former aid work on a council estate in Bath - drew me into the first of many Sally Christmases.

Christmas in Easterhouse starts on the Sunday before with a carol service. It ends on Christmas day with lunch and a party for families who do not have the money for turkey and trimmings.

At the carol service, a packed hall enjoy the women's choir, watch the nativity play acted by children dressed in towels and blankets and listen to the army leader's humorous address.

One year, the Captain Buchanan was energetically leading a carol when he suddenly stopped and walked out. After a puzzled silence, Annette initiated "choose your own carol" to fill the gap.

It turned out that the captain had seen a needy person enter through the back door and that person had instantly become more important than anything else.

At the Christmas Day party, I have the hopeless task of organising the games for excited children - and parents - until rescued by the arrival of Santa Claus. The hall is dingy and its windows covered with wire protection but it becomes a place of laughter.

Faith in the poor

One regular at the party used to be Erica and her family. Abused as a child and then a teenage prostitute, her life was changed at the Salvation Army.

I remember calling on Erica one Sunday afternoon when the family had just 15p in the world. The children wanted it for sweets but Erica refused. That evening at the Salvation Army she put it in the collection.

In a book written largely by Easterhouse residents called Faith in the Poor, Erica describes how she made a stable life for herself and the importance of the Easterhouse Christmas.

She wrote: "Christmas Day at the Sally was great. I was in the women's choir which Annette led. I never missed a Sunday service and the Captain and Mrs Buchanan were a part of our life."

Merry Christmas.