Yet for all the blame heaped on ‘religion’ for wars and strife, the influence of the teaching of the babe of Bethlehem on loving God and neighbour has been unparalleled.

In Hebrew and Greek literature, this animal is renowned for its shrewdness and also for its small size compared with other predators.

We should never stray too far from his passion if we are going to follow him well, do good theology, or seek to offer hope in this world.

Whenever God breaks into the world, there is an adverse reaction from the ruling powers.

The ring is engraved with a wine vessel surrounded by Greek letters spelling out “Pilatus”. Those rings were used to stamp official documents.