Despite the many challenges we have faced over the past twelve months, there is one undeniable fact: “We have survived!” And as we prepare to give thanks yet another time, we are reminded that this is also the time of year when we should reflect on God’s greatest gift to mankind. It is an age-old prophecy that was fulfilled through the birth of a baby born in lowly circumstances — but who would bring peace and salvation to the entire human race.
It is salvation that is available to us — not because of any act of our own — but simply because of God’s grace and mercy. This fact should especially make us thankful because it is like no other gift that we can receive from any one — it is a gift based on unconditional love. As the hymn writer penned it: “Love divine all loves excelling, joy of heaven to earth come down.”
I feel especially privileged to be tasked once again with bringing the Christmas message on behalf of our party, the Anguilla United Front and as Leader of the Parliamentary opposition, at this crossroad in our nation’s development. For many of us it was a part of our daily instruction at home, at school, and at Church that we should be kind in thought, word and deed. And that concept was further memorialized by the late Mahatma Gandhi, that great man of peace, when he said: “Your beliefs become your thoughts; your thoughts become your actions; your actions become your habits; your habits become your values; and your values become your destiny.”
So if we truly accept and believe the message of peace and salvation that this season brings, we may follow it through to a glorious destiny — an Anguillian community where everyone lives harmoniously in an environment of peace, mutual respect and understanding.
We must not forget in this atmosphere of caring and compassion to remember those among us who have lost loved ones, old and young, to natural causes; violent causes; and accidents. Their families, relatives and friends will certainly miss them during this season of fellowship — and will ponder in sadness on those memories that only Christmas can evoke.
Let us put aside some of our time to make some gesture of cheer that will make a difference at this time to hearts that may yet be grieving in silence and alone. Many of us have had such experiences in the past and can share helpful ways of dealing with the emptiness that can inevitably overwhelm them at this time.
It is indeed a time of peace and joy — but also a time of reflection. It is a special time when a great variety of sentiments can attend our thoughts depending on our particular circumstances. But above all it is a time when we can truly entertain hope based on the promise of peace and salvation to all mankind.
And so I must once again quote Mandela when he said: “Courageous people do not fear forgiving for the sake of peace”. It is a quality that is Christ-like and that will serve us all well as we seek to deal with the challenges of building a harmonious society and a strong nation.
As we go forward within the coming weeks to choose Leaders to guide us over the coming years — let us look for those qualities which are captured in the last part of that biblical reference (in St. John 1: 14) to the qualities of God’s only begotten Son. We are told that he was “full of Grace and Truth.” Our leaders must exhibit grace and stand for truth —- let us shy away from campaign strategies that are based on lies; half truths; and character assassination simply to get elected. If it begins with lies — it will end in lies. If it is conducted without mutual respect and a gracious attitude — it will end spiteful and vengeful leadership.
Fellow Anguillians let me endeavour to bring my message closer home for indeed Anguilla is where we live. Unfortunately, the situation on the home front continues to decline as the challenges we now face demand that we adjust our lives and manage our resources in a manner that allows us to meet the most essential requirements for life and living. Many of us will not be able to afford the additional “trimmings” that we looked forward to each year at Christmas. Already it is obvious that there are less colourful lights adorning homes and businesses to remind us of the bright stars that shone on that first Christmas morning. In fact there are many families without electricity.
There are fewer happy shoppers traveling around the island and overseas to various stores and supermarkets to get presents and other goodies. In fact there are families who are often unable to buy food and other essentials in their daily situations. There are not many families painting and decorating their homes for the season. In fact there are many families who have lost their homes and property this year. There are not many cheery office and business parties this year to celebrate the festive season with customers and employees. In fact many persons have lost their jobs and businesses are closing down. There are not many Christmas trees and stringed lights decorating the villages and communities. In fact many of the sponsors are facing their own challenges. There will be fewer bonuses and less handouts to dedicated employees and faithful customers this year. In fact many businesses are struggling to meet payroll and overheads….While our government is tell us that they have managed to balance the budget and turn around things. Are you experiencing the turn around in your daily lives that our government is boasting about? Balancing the budget on grant receipts received from the UK government and the European Union funds without significant stimulation of our economy provides very little hope to our people. Our government signing numerous MOUs a few months before the next general election will not and cannot erase the pain and suffering of our people over the last almost 5 years…The political confusion and instability that exist within our government thus stagnating economy activity and growth over the last almost 5 years is still fresh in our people’s minds. And boasting about reserves, derived primarily from the resale of Viceroy ,UK grant receipts and EDF funding without economic growth do not give hope to our people…The sad tales go on and on.
Fellow Anguillians I have described the real situation in Anguilla that even though challenging, may be addressed if we adjust our attitude, style and approach as a people. This is not a time for confrontation and incivility it is time for negotiations and mutual respect. This is time for building alliances not creating hostilities. This is the time for “burying hatchets” not “loading artillery”. This is a time for accommodation and compromise not entrenchment and intransigence. This is a time for forgiveness not vengeance. And above all this is a time for compassion and caring rather than abuse and hate. In short this is a time when the spirit of Christmas should pervade our thoughts, deeds and actions for the entire year until it leads to an environment of peace and goodwill among all our people.
So this Christmas should we be affected by any of the challenges that attend our nation in this period; should we find ourselves unable to meet our personal needs or desires for this time of celebration; should we be experiencing frustration because of hard times; or should we have feelings of anxiety about the days ahead let us be reminded that this is the season when we can refresh our belief in the promise of peace and salvation to the world through our thoughts, words and deeds. Then let us as people manage and make do with the resources we have been blessed even in these tough times and share some joy with others who may be less fortunate than we are. And even in this period remember our adversaries in their trials with the spirit of forgiveness of him who came to bring light and salvation that Christmas morning over two thousand years ago.
Have a blessed Christmas and all the best for the New Year.
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)