The Honourable Prime Minister's Christmas Message 2007

My fellow citizens,

At this time of year, we join others around the world, particularly the Christian community, in celebrating what we affirm as the birth of God’s only begotten son, and, thereupon, the arrival amongst us of the hope for mankind’s salvation.

There can be no doubt that, on the whole, our local Christmas celebrations are grand and most exciting.

And for very good reasons.

In the first instance, we enjoy in this country, a level of religious freedom and tolerance as great as might be experienced anywhere else in the world.

Our very young nation is already a sound, thriving and progressive democracy.

We also live in a land of equality before the law and of equal access of our citizens to the national patrimony.

All this apart, the people of our nation have long been nurturing a generally kind and fun-loving society, and during the Christmas season naturally enjoy themselves.
Not unlike our other religious festivals, our Christmas celebrations are therefore attended by appreciable gaiety and festivity.

And, notwithstanding the multi-ethnic and multi-religious nature of our society, there is much public participation. The majority of our citizens experience a truly wonderful time.

There remains, all the same, an important question. Is this all? Is it primarily about fun, frolicking and gaiety?

Indeed, for all the joviality and conviviality that the celebration engenders, the season ought to be, far more importantly, one of deep reflection and sobriety.

It is a call to greater spiritual consciousness and keenness. It is a call to prayer and worship. It is a call to thanksgiving and celebration.

Often though, for many, there can be that thin line between joyous merriment and gleeful abandon and frivolity, especially were we are inclined to celebrate as though it were our very own birthday, or that of a friend or family member.

Not that celebrations of such a nature are not at times commendable. But we might do well to consider that what is intended during this season is really the celebration of the birth of the Lord and Saviour, Jesus, the Christ.

That was a most important moment for mankind. It was the very incarnation of God amongst men.

The story of that event, and indeed of the life of Christ, including his passion, is therefore unendingly instructive concerning how we might rejoice and celebrate.

We can, for example, take our cue from the humble circumstances of his birth; his blameless character; his commitment to the meek, the disadvantaged and those in need; and his matchless capacity for love.

As we settle down to culminate this year’s celebration, and to partake of its fineries and niceties, it is worth considering whether we have been choosing the right mode in which to rejoice, as there are questions of great spiritual and social meaning and import.

Have we, for example, been as thoughtful of and sensitive to others as we should have been?
Have we paid due attention to the less fortunate amongst us, and have we been demonstrating adequate charitability, benevolence and goodwill?

Do we still push our way to bypass others who have been waiting patiently in the queue, merely in our effort to get ahead?

How do we conduct ourselves as we drive on our nation’s roads? Do we do any better during the Christmas season?

Are we still our brother’s keeper?

Are we committed to peace and development of our society, or the promotion of chaos and disorder?

Have we been promoting or subjugating the Christ in Christmas?

My fellow citizens, our Christmas season brings to an end our annual calendar of religious celebrations.

Let us be careful not to trivialize, by any means, its great meaning and purpose.

There is much for which, as a nation, we must be tremendously thankful.

Looking ahead, for each of us, and for the nation, inevitably there shall be challenges we must countenance and, just as well, many great opportunities we should embrace.

As we come to the end of the year, let us therefore give thanks and praise to Almighty God and seek also to invite his blessings for the New Year and the future.

And let us, in how we elect to comport ourselves on this holy occasion, use every opportunity to stockpile on our accumulation of spirituality, love, compassion and goodwill towards each other and towards all men.

In so doing, we shall further strengthen ourselves with the wherewithal which will ensure that our beloved nation continues to go forward.

On behalf of my family and myself, I wish to extend to you and your household - and indeed all our citizens, wherever you are at this time – our warmest greetings and best wishes for a peaceful, joyous and spiritually-rewarding Christmas; and for a most productive, achievement-oriented and enjoyable 2008.

May God bless you.

May God continue to bless our nation.

Thank you very much and goodnight.