Christmas time is here again and we all are joyful and happy to celebrate in our different ways the birth of our Saviour Christ the Lord. I wish to extend a happy, joyful and peaceful holiday to all in the British Virgin Islands, and specifically to my constituents in the 9^th District of Virgin Gorda and Anegada and surrounding islands of Eustacea, Necker Island and Mosquito Islands. It also includes all visitors to our shores at this time and I hope they will return for another Christmas holiday.

Despite the difficult situation worldwide, we can thank the Almighty God that the hurricane that was predicted to hit the Virgin Islands was shifted away from us and what a happy relief that was! For if that hurricane had hit us, the destruction would have added more to our troubles and for that we give God the thanks and praise.

 Despite the worldwide economic situation, some progress is being made, but we should really take more seriously the Christmas chorus which says that, ‘Love came down at Christmas.’ Are we concerned about our children, the orphans, the widows and the widowers, the blind, the deaf, the dumb and the people who are losing their jobs or their properties to the banks, the poor and homeless and those who suffer from various illnesses?

We do have many organisations now in the BVI and some really try very hard to assist but more help is needed and we should be wise with our spending. We should also remember that our little county is now a cosmopolitan country and there are many people from around the world who come to live and work amongst us and we must make them know that our way of life must not be destroyed but should be made better and better.

We must always remember and keep in mind that our country is a Christian country and the number of churches is on the increase. We do have a charge to keep and a God to glorify and we should never be afraid or ashamed to say: “Our country is a Christian country” and we must show that in the life we live and the example we set.

Therefore, let us enjoy the Christmas holiday and let us continue to keep the Christmas spirit every day as we follow the word of the good Lord, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ and pray for peace.

I would also like to send greetings to my comrades in the National Assembly and the Honourable Speaker, the Clerk, the Council and also Mr. Romney and all those who work in the National Assembly, the Cleaners, the Secretaries and to the Civil Service and the Policemen and to all those who work in the various commissions and Trust and help to keep the place clean and tidy. I wish them all A Merry Christmas and the happiest New Year!

Thank you and do have a happy and joyful holiday.