We present a suggestion on the interpretation of canonical time evolution when gravitation is present, based on the nonlinear gauge approach to gravity. Essentially, our proposal consists of an internal-time concept, with the time variable taken from the dynamical fields characteristic of the nonlinear realization of the internal time-translational symmetry. Physical time evolution requires the latter symmetry to be broken. After disregarding other breaking mechanisms, we appeal to the Jordan–Brans–Dicke action, conveniently interpreted, to achieve that goal. We show that nontrivial time evolution follows, the special relativistic limit being recovered in the absence of gravity.