A selfless act of kindness from one East Kilbride church to another brought some seasonal good cheer at the most wonderful time of year.
Mossneuk Parish Church won the Village Music shop's annual Christmas piano giveaway this year after gaining the most votes from the local community.
But, a twist in this festive tale saw its elders, who already have a digital piano, graciously donate the kind gift after learning that runners up West Mains Church were renting one for Christmas worship.
Village Music director Jamie Finn told Lanarkshire Live West Mains Church was "blown away" by Mossneuk's selfless act of kindness.
He said: "Mossneuk won the votes, then in a gracious shock last minute decision, The Kirk Session at Mossneuk Parish said they would prefer to donate the piano.
"The Kirk elders discussed and decided that as they already have a digital piano they would prefer to see our donation go to West Mains Church - who came second in the votes but don't currently have a piano.
"By the sounds of things West Mains Church have had a tough time of it lately; their minister left not long ago so the church is without a permanent leader and they recently had to sell the church manse to pay for roof repairs.
"West Mains are absolutely blown away with this act of selflessness from Mossneuk. This beautiful, selfless gesture really is the true spirit of Christmas! We really do hope that West Mains enjoy their brand spanking new Casio AP270 digital piano."
For the last five years the Village Music have gifted a brand new digital piano to a church in East Kilbride every Christmas.
The generous initiative is a small gesture by the independent business to show gratitude to the people of the town for supporting them over the last 28 years.
St Bride’s, Claremont, Moncrieff and Calderwood Baptist parish churches have already benefitted from a donation.
Thanking both the Village Music and Mossneuk Church, West Mains Church elder David MacDonald said: "We were over the moon when we got the call from Jamie at Village Music telling us that they wanted to gift us with a brand new piano.
"When we heard that it was originally intended for Mossneuk Parish Church we couldn't get over their kindness and generosity passing this gift over to us.
"Mossneuk Church knew that we didn't have a piano of our own and that we had to borrow a keyboard for our Christmas services this year. They had heard that we had to replace the roof on our church this year, so they wanted to gift the piano to help us out.
"We are so thankful to Jamie and the team at Village Music for their kindness and can't wait to start using our piano during our services."
Commenting on this year's donation drive, Mossneuk Church Minister George Sneddon said: "This was an amazing gift to win but we didn't receive it in good spirit, instead we felt lots of guilt as we already have a digital piano.
"We heard that West Mains didn't and were renting one for Christmas so our elders were unanimous in their decision to give the piano to them.
"Jamie was also delighted, it was a really nice gesture, especially at Christmas time - after all that's what Christmas is all about."
The Minister added: "I think it's important that people see churches helping each other out. The more you give, the more you receive - it's actually a biblical command.
"And now their worship has changed forever - it's a privilege for us. As a minister my priority is for our congregation to be known for grace, kindness and goodness.
"This is a lovely thing for the Village Music to do every year and inspires other people to do good things, it just takes one and an act of kindness spreads on."
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