In the Christmas narrative Mary and Joseph are without a home. When they wander back to the place that Joseph grew up (presumably his home until he was kicked out by the current Roman occupiers) things have been so utterly changed by the Roman Empire that there isn't even a set of relatives or old friends that he and his pregnant wife can seek lodging with. It looks like this is not an unfamiliar story either because all the lodging is taken all except a barn full of animals. Later to save Jesus life Joseph and Mary seek refuge in Egypt. Probably something they'd be reluctant to do given the history between their people and the Egyptians. Every Christmas we remember the family who fled from persecution, unable to stay in their hometown or surrounding country, seeking refuge in a strange place. It's perhaps fitting that the place in Australia where many people are doing that exact same thing all through the year is called Christmas Island.
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