There’s certainly a festive air to today’s Middle East Analysis podcast.

At a time when office parties, crazy-season shopping and the work wind-down are well underway, it’s easy not only to get distracted and lose sight of Christ’s coming at Christmas, but also to forget the region in which he was born.

Our Middle East North Africa consultant, Dr Harry Hagopian, in his typical indomitable style, brings us back to MENA as we spare a thought and a prayer for the millions who will spend Christmas in refugee camps in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and beyond.

There’s also a lighter look at the true meaning of Christmas and what a Dr Harry Hagopian Jerusalem Christmas looks like.