AS its name so obviously indicates, tomorrow’s holiday is a Christian festival, and although some will say that faith is weakening in the materialistic west, Christ’s birth in a stable two millennia ago is still the dominant image of this season.

Even those who regard Christmas as a mere remnant of pagan merrymaking to celebrate midwinter and the turning of the year, or see it simply as an occasion for excessive consumption, tend to feel that the religious dimension of the festival should not be forgotten.

Cynics may say that this is pure sentimentality, but this is most surely a time of year to consider core messages that the child born in the most humble of circumstances was later to deliver – that we are our brothers’ keepers and that society’s haves must not turn a blind eye on the have-nots.

Even in this affluent Island, there are those who do not share the fruits of general prosperity. Many Islanders who are confident of enjoying Christmas plenty will already have acknowledged that this is the case by donating generously to the Joint Charities Appeal. For those who have not, it is worth pointing out that the collecting tins of this most worthwhile cause will be rattling in St Helier this afternoon and evening as last-minute shoppers look for last-minute gifts.

Looking a little further ahead, the Island’s generous instincts will be directed towards the major new Jersey Side by Side appeal to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, the first anniversary of which is fast approaching.

Meanwhile, even if the thoughts of the instant – turkey, crackers, wine and good company – are bound to dominate tomorrow, it will be no bad thing if the fortunate can spare a thought not only for the recipients of the appeal’s parcels and presents but also for those obliged to work on Christmas Day. For some – including police officers and Fire Service personnel on duty and soldiers serving overseas – it will be business as usual.

Tomorrow will also be a good time to take stock of what has passed and what is promised in the future. What with the continuing effects of the global recession and other problems on the economic front, this has been a tough year.

Next year could be even tougher, thanks to increased taxation and public sector cuts, but we can nevertheless be thankful that, in the grand scheme of things, Jersey remains one of the best places to live not only in Britain but anywhere in the world.

With this in mind, the Jersey Evening Post offers its best wishes for the season to all Islanders, earnestly hoping that the many positives of Island life will, as they undoubtedly should, outweigh the negatives.