NOT being religious myself, I find that the nativity story however still bears a striking historical resemblance to contemporary times.

Old chestnuts prevail involving taxation, persecution, inequality, homelessness, poverty and decree by diktat on the working class.

Take the case of expectant mum of twins Heather Dickinson (on the council house waiting list for five years) and her plight of being made homeless along with her other child.

Like Joseph and Mary she had to resort to the kindness of others when forced to leave her temporary accommodation in breadline Britain.

Another parallel is that Bethlehem like York was uninviting to the poor being an expensive place to live.

Analogous to King Herod, the pack of wolves in the online comments of York Press savaged Heather until they were rightly removed. The haves condemning a have-not – shame on them. No doubt these people would have tormented Joseph and Mary too.

Every adult deserves a decent place to live where they and their children can feel safe. York council has an obligation to do much, much better in regards to this pressing matter.

Tom Scaife, Manor Drive, York.