Column: Pilgrim's Progress: Christmas is coming

This is an old Christmas nursery rhyme, first published in the mid-19th century. It was part of what I picked up as a child in the 1940s. It contains a message of Christmas that in the hustle and bustle of preparations for festivities can very easily be lost.

So much is concentrated in the buying ‘stuff’ that we can tend to forget in what manner it all began. I call it the preferential option for the poor.

Google states:“'The preferential option for the poor' is a principle of Catholic social teaching that prioritises the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalised in society, stemming from the belief that all people are created in God's image."

The Son of God in history came to the poor in Judaea. At the time of Jesus 2,000 years ago this was a poor, distant and downtrodden province of the mighty Roman Empire.

Mary and Joseph, his family, were poor. His birth took place in stable, well away from their hometown of Nazareth.

His birth was announced to shepherds, among the poorest in that society. They were forced to flee to another country as refugees owing to the murderous intent of the local ruler.

The rich did come to him in the Wise Men from the East, but they came in homage with their gifts rather than as examples of power.

He came naked into the world and naked he left it, from the cross.

This is the challenge to the Christian, and to all, at this time. How do we respond to this message brought to us from heaven above by a baby in manger?

Brian Hamill, St Austin's Church