It is once more that time of year that most of us set aside for giving, sharing and celebration. And a lot of what we do has been a part of our family tradition for decades. Indeed it has become so much a part of who we are and the things that we look forward to, that perhaps we do not spend enough time to reflect on how things may be for others. Indeed how things could have been for us — were it not for the grace of God.
But it is in such moments of reflection that we recognize how much we have to be thankful for and why this period must also be one of gratitude and appreciation for the many things we take for granted in our lives. For this reason, this season must be one when we reflect on God’s greatest gift to mankind — a baby born in lowly circumstances who would become the salvation of the world.
That great act of kindness that we seek to imitate by giving and sharing at Christmas time must also become manifest in how we conduct ourselves throughout the year. And charity must not only be through material gifts — but through conduct that is caring, compassionate and respectful of others. Indeed all gifts are precious when they come from hearts filled with kindness and good intentions.
Also 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. I would especially like us to remember our brothers and sisters in the Bahamas whose lives have been severely disrupted by the fury of Hurricane Damien. Many lives were lost and we know that 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 for 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 therefore share helpful ways of dealing with the emptiness that can inevitably overwhelm them at this time — even to those families across the Caribbean Sea.
As I prepare my message today my thoughts go back especially to my dear friend and colleague, the late Wycliffe “The Judge” Richardson who was snatched away from this life a few weeks ago. He would have been making sure at this time that my Christmas message is recorded for ATV, his television station. May his Soul and all the other Souls that have been laid to rest during this year rest in eternal peace.
The year that is closing in upon us has not been without its challenges. Indeed we began with a promise of hope, reconciliation and resolution. And even though the recovery process was a tremendous success we understood quite clearly then that there would still be some difficult times ahead. However, as we did over the past four years our Government demonstrated our ability to find ways and means to make positive things happen. We have had our delays in implementation but we have remained focused.
We believe that this approach has led to considerable progress in dealing with the major issues affecting our island and with diligence and appropriate application we will overcome. We will make a number of missteps and face a number of setbacks along the way — but in the end, with God’s help, we will bring deliverance from the challenges that now attend our island.
At the beginning of our term our people were experiencing a period of economic decline and our indigenous banking sector was in a state of uncertainty and flux. Indeed this had begun to threaten the ability of many of our citizens to realize the Anguillian Dream. In fact, many persons and their families had lost some elements of that pursuit, including their homes; their land; their transportation and opportunities for health; education and a better life.
We could not allow our island to continue that disastrous course. And your Government did not succumb to the various voices and the several interests that seem determined to prevent us from achieving a timely resolution of these issues. We firmly believed that the urgency of resolving these issues trumped every other consideration in the national scheme of things and today in an environment where international banks are leaving our region we can report that the National Commercial Bank of Anguilla is holding it own and its loyal customers refuse to be deterred by the prophets or perpetrators of doom and gloom.
Next year will also come with its own set of challenges but like the past year there will be times for celebration as well. We must continue to place our trust in him who has brought us through thus far — and will bring us through once more.
It is more than a casual statement that “the Lord helps those who help themselves”. Therefore we must continue to be apply wisdom and understanding to all our actions striving always to do the right thing even in the face of strong opposition. We believe that we have done the right thing in our strategy to bring our island back to that period of prosperity we once enjoyed. And we believe that that could not be possible unless we went “all in” to restore stability to the indigenous banking sector.
As your Government we also recognize that none of the foregoing could have been achieved without strengthening the underlying economy. We therefore focused on that enterprise by attracting serious investment from both the public and private sector and the development of programs and initiatives to diversify and transform our economy. It was our mission as a Government to live up to our promise to establish the platform and the environment for realizing the Anguillian Dream. And our success is a great blessing for our people this year and promises to be so for many in the years ahead.
Next year will be an election year and a number of parties and candidates are vying to participate in that democratic process. The goal is to eventually be elected to make a leadership contribution to our island’s development. Inevitably that is a competitive process which some times brings out the basest instincts in us, including efforts to denigrate each other. We pray that we will all come out this Christmas season and into the New Year with a renewed spirit of mutual respect and kindness towards each other even as we present ourselves to the people we hope to represent. Such good conduct will be an example to our young people who are looking up to us for guidance and mentorship.
In the cause of not adding to the atmosphere of silliness that obstructs the clear and unpolluted discussion of important national issues at times like these — and especially not to bring politics into the spirit of peace and joy in the Christmas season. I will simply want to wish all persons participating in the political process next year — voters and candidates alike — all the best of health, happiness and success for the remainder of the year and the New Year when it rolls around.
There is also another important grouping that we must not as a people take for granted in this period of gratitude and reflection, namely, our visitors and investors. We continue to appreciate your loyalty and support recognizing that you are a critical part of enabling us to achieve the Anguillian Dream. We are both flattered and humbled by your expressions of love for our island and its people.
I commend all those persons and businesses that are making an effort once again to cheer up our villages and communities with the glorious lights of Christmas. I especially commend the Lions Community Group that continues to spare neither expense nor effort to decorate and illuminate the trees and walks of Coronation Avenue in the Valley. They are indeed lifting many spirits as well as creating an atmosphere of joy; hope; and promise for Anguillan residents and visitors alike.
Let us in the spirit of this season reach out in our prayers to all those persons in our community who are experiencing set backs — even despair of various kinds in their lives at this time. Neither let us neglect any opportunity for giving and sharing in whatever way we can. Indeed it is what Christmas is all about!
I want to especially thank the members of the Anguilla Public Service; The Governor and his team of officers; for the support and team spirit as they worked together, brilliantly, with my colleagues and I, in this enterprise to restore our island to beyond its former glory. We sincerely wish you and your families all the best for this blessed season.
To all Anguillans and to all residents; visitors and friends of Anguilla — let me take this opportunity on behalf of all my colleagues in Government as well as my own family to wish you all a very blessed and joyous Christmas and continued good health; happiness and success for the New Year and many more years ahead.
¡Feliz Navidad y próspero Año Nuevo!
May God bless you all and May God bless Anguilla.
