Christmas is cancelled in Bethlehem. If you read that headline in this newspaper, you might find it hard to believe.

Well, it did happen just a few years ago.

The Israeli authorities blocked the routes into the town of Bethlehem (which lies in a Palestinian area) owing to what they said were security concerns.

Thousands of pilgrims, and even relatives of the residents were prevented from entering Manger Square on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of Jesus around the church built on the alleged site of the Nativity.

The sense of unease in the town and through the country at that time was palpable. In the intervening years it has grown worse.

But we should not forget that it was so when Mary and Joseph arrived there all those years ago.

Colonial rule was resented by the local population among whom was a minority of extremists and hotheads who urged violent action.

The monarch and religious hierarchy retained an influential role in society, and occupied an insecure role in the middle.

That could describe many situations around the world up to and including the present time.

It is easy to become despondent that nothing much has changed for the better in our world despite the coming of Jesus.

This might be so if Jesus was the kind of Messiah whom many people wished for at the time (and still do).

But his message turned out to be rather different, inverting the order in which the world measures greatness.

Humility, unworldliness and caring love were the virtues he lived and taught, not riches, power and fame.

That message has not altered in two thousand years, nor has the need to preach it and teach it and live it.

We need Christmas to remind us that the humble things have been sent to confound the mighty.

As the hymn 'O little town of Bethlehem' puts it: "No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in".

No one can cancel Christmas in our hearts if we open them to embrace it. With every blessing,