The gold, frankincense, and myrrh was a jackpot of wealth for the Holy Family

There was a very wise man, now happily in Heaven, that I used share quality drinks with in the great pub called The Honk on the edge of Shannon Airport, for the years before he departed happily for Paradise, and I moved to the other flank of Co Clare.

It was this man, early one December, who made the statement which has troubled me every Christmas season since then.

I cannot get it out of my head from the time I see the first Nativity scenes and cribs, and hear the first carols.