IF SUE COOKE (Letters, December 3) is suggesting that Bethlehem was peaceful 2,000 years ago, she knows nothing of the history of Canaan.

There was a constant environment of terrorism, rebellion and genocide. When the Romans weren’t suppressing the local population, the various factions of the Herods were engaging in internecine slaughter.

It is not insignificant that God chose that time to send Jesus “to save His people from their sins”.

Ken Barnes, North View, Catterton.