In early November my wife and I were in the UK for a short holiday.

We were a little surprised to find that the Christmas Season was in full flow with shops and streets beautifully adorned with seasonal decorations.

To say nothing of the carols being merrily played in the shops. Not surprisingly we found that TV adverts were geared to persuading those who watched to buy this or that gift or item of food and drink for the proper celebration of Christmas.

This is a huge change from when we used to live there.

We were told that Christmas now begins as soon as Halloween ends!

It is quite obvious to me that the emphasis is now on 'cash in the till rather than the Babe in the Manger.'

This is a shame, for the early start to the commemoration of the birth of Jesus tends to diminish its significance for everyone, even Christians.

And this is a problem in this part of the world too, for the celebration of Christmas in Bermuda starts very early, though not quite as prematurely as in the US or the UK.

So what can be done about all of this?

For those for whom Christmas means observing the nativity of Our Lord Jesus, the best way is to keep our eyes and hearts focused on him throughout the months of November and December.

Through our keeping of the Season of Advent we try to do this, despite all that goes on around us.

There is a wonderful evangelical chorus that shows us the way extremely well: "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full on his wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his Glory and grace."

In other words, look at Jesus rather than getting caught up in all the other things.

Thus we can make ourselves ready to receive into our hearts and lives, God's only Son born of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

And we can ensure that our worship of him at Christmas will remain genuine and full of love and adoration, unsullied by the distractions of commercial and social activities.

And so this Christmas we join with people around the world and the whole company of Heaven in marking with joy and thanksgiving the birth of Jesus Christ.

One way we commemorate God's greatest gift to the human race is by giving and receiving of gifts.

That is a good and loving custom especially if we remember those with nothing to give us in return.

He whose birth we rejoice in at this time of year is named 'Emmanuel,' 'God with us.'

And that means he is with us at all times and in all situations, the good as well as the bad times; the times when our lives are full of laughter or when there is sadness and pain.

May our observance of the birth of Jesus fill us with much joy and peace.

A very Happy Christmas to you all.