There’s a common theme running through the Christmas messages in today’s newspaper.

Broadly speaking, most of the authors say that Bermuda and its people face challenging times, but if we work together as a community, we can overcome them.

This is inarguable.

Bermuda has indeed experienced difficult times this year. Tragedy has struck, with six people killed, often in brazen shootings. Ten more families are mourning the deaths of loved ones on the roads.

Too many people in our community are unable to secure the basic necessities of life, and find themselves homeless or depending on charities for food or being one illness away from disaster.

The Royal Gazette has covered stories this week that lay these crises bare. The Salvation Army has seen a dramatic surge in need at the same time that donations have plunged. The Eliza DoLittle Society cannot keep up with demand for food parcels. And those are just two stories from yesterday’s newspaper. Every charity has a similar story.

But there is good news amid these tales of woe.

Bermuda remains one of the wealthiest countries on earth. The economy is growing and international business, the main driver, is too. Next year, the Fairmont Southampton Princess will open, creating jobs and business activity in the tourism sector.

The Governor, Government and Bermuda Police Service have come together to tackle violent crime and to deter gangs. The Government also seems to be taking the housing crisis and the eye-watering cost of living seriously.

Of course, none of these positives are guaranteed, and they pose their own problems. International business may be thriving, but the domestic economy is struggling at the same time that international companies are a magnet for the best and the brightest, creating two economies.

The Fairmont Southampton should reopen, but may struggle to find staff, leading to the importation of labour which could increase pressure on housing and infrastructure. Violent crime is intractable and reducing it may take time with reverses along the way. Building affordable housing is difficult when the island’s construction costs are among the highest in the world.

Nonetheless, Bermuda is better placed than most countries to solve these problems. Bermuda is not wracked by war. The island escaped the worst of the hurricane season.

But solving the problems the island does have depends not on the Government, community or business leaders, the police or any of the other institutions that get the blame when things go wrong.

Instead, they depend on ordinary citizens. Christmas is a time to look inward and to ask ourselves what each of us can do to improve our lives and the lives of family, friends and neighbours — which in Bermuda is everyone.

Regardless of an individual’s faith, or lack of it, this is the time to remember Jesus Christ’s golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, or more simply, treat others as you want to be treated by them.

If everyone in Bermuda followed this simple axiom, the island would instantly be a better place. Simply treating others with kindness and warmth would go a long way to bringing together our community.

At the same time, this is not a suggestion to sugar-coat the truth. Everyone has a duty to be honest, to hold people accountable and to encourage personal responsibility.

But this can be done cruelly or it can be done with kindness. Knowing the difference and knowing when and what to say are signs of empathy. Being open-minded enough to see where people have run into difficulties through no fault of their own is critical, but even when people have been architects of their own misfortune, it is possible to help them find a way out without rewarding bad behaviour.

Christmas can be a time of stress. For some, interacting with family and friends can be a strain, while for others this can be the loneliest time. Taking time to help others, or to express one’s own feelings, is a worthwhile exercise.

Still, for many this is a time when it is easier to be kind to others and to look out for those in need. What is more difficult is to practise these habits through the year. It can be done, and when it is done, it is the best possible gift of this holiday season.

To all our readers and supporters, we wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas.