Christmas is a time for reflection. Around us are the sounds and sights, which return once a year - as do friends, neighbours, family and acquaintances many of whom are of limited interest to us the rest of the year. Yet it's strange when you think about it. Across all walks of life and societal differences a change takes place in us all. Even a hardened cynic must occasionally smile at the sounds of Bing Crosby singing White Christmas or Nat "King" Cole and the Christmas Song. For me it's Mario Lanza singing O Little Town of Bethlehem because that was my Mum's favourite Carol - unless it was Once in Royal David's City. As I wrote the above my brain was saying but what about Adeste Fideles, Silent Night and It Came Upon A Midnight Clear?

I'm always amazed at how, through all the years, there is such a consistency about Christmas. On my show we've had Santa Claus (the very talented Bob Dawson) for years and it's always the same - kids singing Jingle Bells in monotone with a hearty "HEY" at the end of the second stanza or Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer, usually with a line or two missing. There's something about "Rudolph" which makes kids forget a line here or there but who cares?

And the kids are always mesmerized - only rarely has Bob been asked about the plethora of Santa Clauses the kid has seen for the past month. Most want to believe so badly that their usually hyperactive curiosity sensors are temporarily blunted. We've had some fun over the years, Santa and I, but the incident I remember best was the little boy who, in the course of questioning by Santa as to what the family was doing that night (it happened to be Christmas Eve) said, "we're all going over to Grandma's house." "Oh", asked Bob, "is Grandma going to make Christmas dinner?"

"Of course not", was the indignant reply, "grandma's dead!"

Thankfully our operator, who could see that we were in silent but uncontrollable laughter took a station break so we could collect ourselves.

There are changes, of course. Every year there is a new toy. When I was a kid the main toy you got reflected your age - a tricycle, then a sidewalk bicycle, then a bicycle and so on but since there was no such thing as a TV or a computer, the range of outside possibilities was somewhat restricted.

The variety is so great today that we've simplified matters by sending each grandchild a cheque. Their Mums and Dads tell us that this is the best part  as far as the kids are concerned. A little unsentimental, I suppose, but when your grandkids range from 4-18 it can be a bit much to keep up with  all the trends. Besides, there is something special about being able to go out, after Christmas and buy what you want. I well remember how embarrassing it was when one of your grandparents, reflecting their ardent desire not to see you grow up, gave you a toy that was really more appropriate for your kid brother. I'd have been glad for the money.

There've been other changes, of course. The makeup of our society has changed and now schools are forced to take Christ out of Christmas substituting mindless smarm about Winter Solstices or some such gup.

Strangely, in all my years in the media, I have never heard a single complaint from a Jew, a Muslim or a Sikh about the traditional Christmas - it's always from some higher purpose WASP who imagines that the religion they abandoned somehow offends outsiders born to a different faith. I suspect most complainers are atheists of Christian stock who are so lacking in confidence they fear questions from their own kids about the religion of their forefathers. Minorities invariably have faith in their religion and culture and know that their kids are not going to rush out to be baptized in the nearest river because they hear the wonderful story of the Christ Child.

For me, Christmas has changed a quite a bit since I've slowly made my way, in faltering steps, back to the Anglican faith of my birth. I now see this holy day in the context of many holy days and have tended to treat it a bit more casually. As one gets older, the family starts to spread and in addition to obligations to parents, kids see obligations to their partner's  parents as well. And in our family because we have kids and grandkids allover the place, Wendy and I now go away for Christmas and have mini Christmases with our progeny and theirs before we go.

What would I wish for this Christmas?

That I - and all of you - could be reconciled to all those from whom we have become estranged either by time, space, or quarrel.

For that, when all's said and done, is probably what peace, goodwill to all mankind is really all about.