Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie

Christmas Message 2021

I WISH YOU A VIRGIN ISLANDS CHRISTMAS WITH BVILOVE

25 December, 2021

Good Day and GOD’s Blessings to all the wonderful people of the Virgin Islands. Once again, it’s that special time of the year when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Love, peace, goodwill towards all men and women, caring, sharing, family and friendship are all themes that characterize Christmas. This year, perhaps more than ever, the world needs these things with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic has had consequences on all countries, including here, but as the year draws to a close I am hopeful that we finish in a much stronger position than we started. We now have far greater understanding of the virus, how it should be managed and a vaccine to help protect us. I have been heartened to see the resilience of our community; we have re-opened our businesses; our homes and churches and I am heartened by the progress we are making towards returning to a level of normality, living and working in the New Regular of COVID-19.  

The pandemic has been and continues to be a trying time for all of us, kept from friends and family, and not least those who have lost loved ones through it. The gift of the Christ child was a gift of love from God, and therefore the best gift you can give someone this Christmas is love.

It costs nothing to let those around us know that we appreciate them, to offer a word of comfort to someone who is going through a difficult time, or to help out at a charity for a few hours. I have seen it many times amongst the people of the Virgin Islands, especially this year.

Love, it is said, can do miracles. It can lift a person up. It can give them courage. It can create hope. It can make a bad mood go away.

Love can heal pain. It can mend relationships, and it can end enmity. So powerful is this thing called love. Let us create our own miracles by spreading love throughout the Virgin Islands and throughout the world.

On Christmas Day, December 25, we are inviting families to a ‘Virgin Islands Cultural Christmas with a twist through our food and music’ throughout the Virgin Islands.

Our local food and drinks are compliments your Premier working in collaboration with your four Territorial Representatives and each respective District Representative.

This is our collective way of saying Merry Christmas to each of you from District One to Nine.  

It was indeed a pleasure working with my four Territorial Members and each District Representative in true Unity as we remember the true reason for the season. On Christmas day come out between the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and enjoy our culture in music and song at the following locations:

District 1:

Benjamin A. Romney Park, West End

The Bandstand, Recreation Ground, Cappoon’s Bay

Sellie’s BBQ Pit, Carrot Bay

District 2:

De Wedding Restaurant, Cane Garden Bay

Pinky’s Delight, Jost Van Dyke

District 3:

Lot across from The Boys Gas Station, Sea Cows Bay

Billy’s Superette, Palestina

District 4 and 5:

Bandstand, Road Town, Tortola

Basketball Court, Lower Estate

District 6:

Adjacent Jamie’s Car Wash, Baugher’s Bay

Fisherman’s Wharf, Baugher’s Bay

Basketball Court, Purcell Estate

Jerome Fahie Bar, Bellevue

District 7:

Gram’s Place, Fat Hog’s Bay

The Stickit, Long Look

Duck and Dive, Brandywine Bay

District 8:

The Watch House, Hope Hill

 Harbour View Restaurant, East End

District 9:

North Sound Basketball Court, Virgin Gorda

Grandma’s Kitchen, Valley, Virgin Gorda

Mermaids Dockside, Valley, Virgin Gorda

Theodolph Faulkner Admin Building, Anegada

On behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands, and on behalf of my family, I wish all the people of the Virgin Islands a happy and God-filled Christmas.

May the light and love of Christmas touch your life and those around you.

I wish you God’s Blessings and BVILOVE.