“Peace on earth and goodwill to all mankind” – that is the essential message of Christmas; and that is the creed that should inspire us all through the year.
As we observe another Christmas, we should take time to reflect on the redemptive message of the Christ child; the hope brought on by his birth; the love spread through his ministry and the example he set for dedication to the service of others.
This period may be filled with symbolism, and it might be easy just to get caught up in the annual ritualistic endeavors that have come to define the period in these modern times. But beyond that there is something more powerful. A wise man once said: “Christ is not merely a summer sun of the prosperous but a winter fire for the unfortunate.” And that statement should capture the essence of now. David Jeremiah, an American Evangelical Christian writer also reminds us that: “All the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ.” So for this season let’s reach out to our neighbors; to the less fortunate; the sick; the marginalized. Let’s give one priceless gift: the gift of care.
I bring you greetings as Her Majesty’s loyal opposition – and a renewed commitment to continue in the service of all of God’s children; fighting to protect children and to strengthen families. I beseech you this season to look out particularly for the children in your community, especially those facing tough challenges within their families. Let them know that there is a whole world out there that cares.
I am particularly concerned about the children and the young people. As a society we have a duty to look out for them; treating every child as if they were our very own. One of my greatest satisfactions over the years has been the after care services I have helped facilitate in Island Harbor and East End. Through our continued collaboration with other Youth Development Centers in Anguilla, we are demonstrating our commitment to building a harmonious and peaceful Anguilla every day. It is a notion and concept that I will endeavor to build on in other areas of Anguilla.
As we celebrate another Christmas, I also want to thank all of the people of Anguilla, but particularly District 1, for the love and consideration they have shown myself, and indeed my family, throughout the year. Your eternal gift to us is your enduring sense of regard, respect and appreciation. I will take the inspiration of your support – and the message of Christmas – into the New Year. Indeed we shall look towards 2019 with both hope and excitement. The New Year will give us all the opportunity to revive proper leadership in this land; to build on a people’s yearning for unity and bi-partisanship.
In the last few months in particular, I have had the opportunity to hold far reaching discussions with many people in our society, as we seek to build a united front to tackle the issues that confront us. I have been very encouraged. I believe that the dream of One Anguilla is much closer. As a people we shall continue to work with each other – and for each other – understanding that the work we do is not for the satisfaction in and of itself, but for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. Pastor Normal Vincent Peale once said, and I concur: “I truly believe that if we keep telling the Christmas story, singing the Christmas songs, and living the Christmas spirit, we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world.”
So let peace reign; and let love be the energy that powers us all. The God we serve should influence us all by the power of love – the real opposite to what we see in our society today – the love of power. That’s why, in 2019, we will have the opportunity to revert to genuine service leadership.
Once again, have a reflective and Christ filled Christmas, and may the New Year bring us all closer to God.
