I wasn't going to be among those whining and moaning about how the commercial holiday season seems to come sooner and sooner every year; but I think I'll join up.

The Santas, red bows, snow scenes, Christmas trees and even Christmas music that have gone up even before Halloween candy has been handed out seems so blatant that although it doesn't surprise me, I wonder if I am only among a few who are bothered by this?

I've always known that commerce, businesses, play a huge role in the 'holiday season' and that the celebration of Christmas, Hanukkah, and the winter equinox have been steamrolled by corporations doing anything and everything they can to make a buck...or a zillion of them.

The best part is how we just let it. For me, December means advent, it means the celebration of the birth of Christ, the warmth of love we need from each other in the coldest part of the year. A reminder that even though the world is cold, God shows us his love through the smiles of our families, friends and neighbors.

I'm not surprised, just a little sad. Because I feel like the controversies every year over public creche displays, or saying Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays, and the commercial occupation of the season are both symptoms of the same problems.

Atheist, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Pagan, whatever way we choose to praise our God (or not), we have forgotten the importance of kindness, of a smile, of generosity. Because the truth that can be found in this season is not in the gifts or the food, or even just the time we are forced to spend with our families. It's about finding the light in the darkness of the season, the warmth in the cold, love in a world full of hatred.