TODAY, the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, Kevin Dunn, calls on the people of the region to remember the Christmas story, and take to heart the message that "there is no room at the inn".
He writes: "Mary and Joseph set out to Bethlehem to be registered but there was no room at the inn.
"From this phrase comes the instinct at Christmas to spend time with family, to welcome the stranger in our midst and to be aware of those in our society and in our world whose lives are displaced and disrupted because of violence, famine and injustice.
"Today in our country, in our cities, there are individuals and families who are compelled to leave their homes and familiar surroundings to travel far away because of violence or the threat of violence.
"They seek asylum and need to be 'registered'. Sadly, there are many whose registration is refused and they hear the same message as Mary and Joseph; there is no room at the inn.
"Some of these men and women cannot return to their own country because it is unsafe to do so.
"Our Government has withdrawn from them the accommodation and limited financial support they had received while their application for asylum was being processed.
"There are over 300 destitute asylum seekers in Newcastle alone, sleeping rough or on the floors of friends. Like Jesus, there is no place for them in our country just as there was no place for him in Bethlehem.
"Many people like the innkeeper offer help and support as best they can, whether that be in supporting various voluntary projects or collecting foodstuffs that give these refused asylum seekers a little comfort and human dignity.
"This Christmas, I hope that phrase 'there is no room for them at the inn' will be one that will echo in your hearts and minds so that you may respond to our brothers and sisters who often exist like ghosts in our society.
"Make room in your lives this Christmas for the weak, the vulnerable, the homeless and the asylum seeker. Hear the story of the birth of Christ, Our Saviour and marvel at the humility of the God who loves us."