HAPPY holidays to one and all. Is it me or does it seem like the holiday season starts earlier every year? I don't think its just me. I am convinced that it is capitalism at work. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against capitalism. To the contrary, I am a believer and a supporter of a free enterprise system of economics. It is great for a people, a country and it really is the only option available for progressive nations.However, what I see is businesses using Christmas to increase revenue, and, ultimately profit. Profit is the motive, nothing more and nothing less. It is this, with which I have a problem. Christmas is supposed to be when we celebrate the life of Jesus Christ, the son of God, who came into this world to teach us how to live and to give us everlasting life. Do we ever hear any mention of this in the marketing and promotions that businesses implement during this time of year? No, never! We'll come back to this, after we visit the Top 20.

Holding at number one is Beyonce with her new hit Ring the Alarm, featuring Bermudian Collie Buddz. You just have to hear the house mix, which is hovering atop the dance/club play charts worldwide. It bangs.

Now some new hits. Improving to number two is Jay Z's latest hit, Show Me What You Got. Quietly rising to number three is mature hottie Madonna, with her latest hit,>Jump. Madonna is still hot, even in her late 40's.

Moving on up to number four is Come Around, the solo sensation by Bermudian Collie Buddz. This song is the hottest reggae track in the world at this moment. When I hear this song, especially when it is played up nice and loud, I can do nothing but dance, gyrate and just enjoy the awesome bassline and the brilliant production. I attended the Harrington Workmen's Club Christmas Party last Saturday night and when this track was played, it filled up the dancefloor. Also, a friend shared with me that this track is the number one track on the BBC Dancehall and Reggae Charts. All of this, from a little guy from little Bermuda! See what happens when Collie Buddz comes around?

Falling to number five iI>Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake. Slipping to number six is Say Goodbye by teenage heartthrob Chris Brown, who all the young ladies adore.

Falling to the number seven spot Take Me As I Am by Mary J. Blige, still the Queen of R&B. Down to number eight is Get Up by Ciara featuring Chamillionaire.

Up to number nins My Love by Justin Timberlake featuring T.I., a former essential new tune.

Jumping up to number 10 is the new one from Diddy and Nicole Scherzinger, entitled Come To Me. Improving to number 1s Shortie Like Mine from Bow Wow.

Climbing to number 12 is Maneater by Nelly Furtado, which is doing well in dance music circles and on dance charts.

Tumbling into the number 13 spot this weis Money Maker, a hot and catchy hip hop joint from Ludacris and Pharrell.

Falling to number 14 is A Public Affair by Jessica Simpson while fellow tabloid fixture Paris Hilton's danhit Turn It Up tumbles to number 15.

Now some more house music. On the way up at number 16 is Love's The Only Drug by Ultra Nate. Slipping to numb17 is Déj|0xe0| Vu from the reigning Queen and King of Hip Hop, Beyonce and Jay-Z.

Introducing this week's essential new joint, new at number 18 is Irreplaceable by Beyonce. I like the video of this hit, it sends a message to players. Also new at number 19 is Reuben Studdard with his ret hit Change Me. And rounding things out at number 20 is yet another new entry, Lost Without You by Robin Thicke. This brother has an awesome falsetto voice that works really well with the beat and melody of this R&B hit.

Now back to this week's word - what Christmas is supposed to be about versus what it has become.

I suppose we should begin this section by extending holiday greetings to one and all from my family to yours.

As a society, we have major issues. I just listen to people rushing about, stressing about gifts they are going to buy and how much money it is costing them. News flash folks - we have got it all wrong.

The good Lord didn't send His son to die for us so that we could use the health and strength with which He blesses, us to make as much money as we can, and to then to see how much we can spend lavishing each other with material gifts. His intent was for his son to be the saviour of this sinful world, to give us everlasting life.

But we have twisted and flipped the script, such that all we now have is spend, spend, spend, drink, drink, drink, and eat, eat, eat. We have become a fat, lazy, drunk and deeply in debt species.

What is really funny is that many of us don't even have the money we think we have to spend at Christmas. We go into debt, max out our credit cards, in some cases take out loans, just to buy things we think we need to have a Merry Little Christmas. Well, again, we have gotten in all horribly wrong.

In addition to celebrating the life of Jesus, the son of God, Christmas is a time to give thanks. It is a time to reconnect and spend quality time with family and friends we hold dear, because in the business of our lives, we don't often get to spend as much time with our loved ones as we would like. So, we should make a special effort and make time to do this at Christmas.

Christmas is also a time when, recognising how blessed we are, we should do something for others who are less fortunate than we are, thereby making their Christmas better. I take the view that when God blessed us with gifts; those gifts are not to be used only for the betterment and benefit of ourselves and our family. His intent was for us to use our gifts to assist, bless and be a blessing to others. There is an old addage that says, "To whom much is given, much is expected". So, if you have a lot, there is an inherent expectation that you will help others.

So, it is imperative that we forget about all the gift giving, buying people meaningless and unnecessary items that they may use once or twice, if at all, and focus on helping the needy, spending quality time with our loved ones and giving thanks to God from whom all of our blessings flow.

We must also pass these values on to our children, so that they will grow up to be sensible, humble, thankful, unselfish, Godfearing people; and not material, shallow, greedy, selfish, self-centred and debt-ridden on unnecessary material possessions.

What people should be doing is enjoying family and friendly dinner parties, talking, spending time, chilling out. It is also a great time to rest, relax, recuperate and recharge our batteries, so that in the New Year we can all return to our jobs refreshed and ready to tackle the challenges that await us in 2007.

Peace on earth and Gods will to all mankind —