They were fleeing a local chief, called Herod.

Herod had ordered the slaughter of every infant boy in and around the town where the baby had been born.  Fortunately, the young family were granted asylum in Egypt.

What if that same family arrived in Australia today? 

On their travel documents (probably forged) the baby’s name appears as Jeshua Ben Joseph.  Their story doesn’t quite hold up.  DNA tests suggest that the man travelling with them isn’t the real father.

It’s a nasty irony that we celebrate Christmas, but would probably try to deport Christ.

A few years ago, just after Christmas, a man, a woman and their child were seeking refuge.