I AM always sad to read letters such as those from Ruth Purcell and Alan Preest (Review, September 15) regarding the problems of refugees from Syria and North Africa.

I understand many are afraid of the unknown and are ’psyched up’ by the national press.

Having financially supported and enabled a gay artist friend from Libya to flee to Holland, I understand this problem ’from within’.

Had he stayed where he was the chances are he would have been beheaded or worse.

I was impressed by the response of the Netherlands, where he was granted sanctuary, with leave to stay for five years.

He would prefer to be back home with his family but, for the time being, he has to stay where he is.

The people currently in Syrian camps and knocking on European doors would probably prefer to be back home where they were born. For most this is not an option if they value their lives.

My heart goes out to them and I, like so many, will offer whatever we can by way of hospitality and charitable support.

I have written to Mark Harper MP to say that I am willing to host two refugees, if this is necessary and possible.

I do this for two reasons: as a human response to those in danger and dire need and as a basic Christian principle.

We have a situation which rings clear of the Christmas message: Mary and Joseph were refugees of a sort and they found nowhere to stay except a stable.

In Jesus’s ministry he spoke again and again about the poor and those in need.

The parable of the Good Samaritan should shake all those up who speak of a ’Christian country’.

When we attend church or a school service in December the carols about the birth of Christ are not ’just for the kiddies’ they are an alarm call to each of us to take action. 

Of course, the sheer number of refugees presents us with problems and there are no easy answers to these, but the fact is many of those at our doors have little choice but to seek sanctuary.

Many of the observations made by your readers may be true as regards the strain on the NHS, housing, schools and the need to address the cause of this crisis but the bodies of children are being washed up on the shores of Greek islands and winter is coming.

Outside the doors of Western countries people wait. Dare we wring our hands and say: “How terrible” before turning the key and walking away?

– Mark Parry, Coleford.