“Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie..." we will likely sing in the days to come, about a town south of modern-day Jerusalem.

By the time you’re reading this, Parliament will have adjourned for Christmas. It is a time of year associated with a message of peace. I find that message easier some years to hear and relate to, than I do in others.

At the beginning of this month – on Friday 1st December - the seven-day pause in the fighting was brought to an abrupt end in Gaza. Just as many of us were setting off for work or school, the Israeli Defense Forces resumed seeking to destroy Hamas terrorists amongst those Palestinians whom they live.

It is almost two months since MPs were required to vote on the issue of whether the UK Government should seek to urge on the warring parties an immediate ceasefire rather than mere pauses. I voted to call for a ceasefire.

My vote contrasted with those of the neighbouring Conservative MPs, who voted against a ceasefire. I feel that developments during November and December have vindicated the position that I adopted, along with that of other Liberal Democrat MPs.

I served in the Army at a time when the UK was embroiled in fighting insurgents. Counterinsurgency operations require a military component, but there is no exclusively military solution to the situation in which Israel finds itself. Underlying grievances require addressing too.

Closer to home, I am conscious that there are many people who continue to work hard to help others over the Christmas period – particularly public servants in our emergency and health services.

I want to offer a paean of praise for these hardworking individuals. They don’t seek the limelight, but regardless, they are very deserving of it. We all want to know that if the worst should happen, help will not be far away, and public servants such as police officers and paramedics fulfil this role valiantly.

We should all be grateful to those who continue to serve, whilst many of us enjoy the festive period with friends or family.

In spite of global travails, I am an optimist. I believe that even if 2024 does not bring peace everywhere, that it will bring with it hope for a better future.