“In the bleak midwinter” is to be one of the chosen carols of Archbishop John Sentamu of York in his special Christmas programme on local radio. The beautiful melody of the carol is the opposite of bleak: it is sad, moving, and expresses more the warmth of a family Christmas inside by the fire, rather than the treacherous and threatening conditions that await outside.

But this Christmas, those who can rely on warmth and shelter are perhaps especially ready to give thanks.