One of the desert odyssey sojourners posed a question as to how we might see the juxtaposition of this pandemic and the meaning of Christmas.

We’ve long forgotten that the first Christmas was more akin to what we’re experiencing now than what we’ve taken for granted in recent years.

Foreign occupation then (Romans), foreign occupation now (Covid-19); martyr of the innocence then, deaths of so many innocents now; fear and anxiety of the Holy Family then, our fear and anxiety now; separated from family then by having to flee to Egypt, separation from family now for many who are refugees and those of us who have family overseas.

Poignant reminder that life begins in the dark…..