To All of the wonderful people of the Virgin Islands, Friends and Visitors alike.

I am Melvin Mitch Turnbull your representative for the Second Electoral District and it is indeed a privilege to extend Season’s Greetings to you on behalf of my family and the persons from:  Brewers Bay, Todman, Leonard, Meyers, Challwell, Dotie, Mayaba, Spooner, Shanon, Jost Van Dyke, Ballast Bay, Windy Hill, Round Hill, Luck Hill,  Soldiers Hill, Harrigan, New Bush, Diamond , Anderson Hill, Johnny Hill, Mt. Healthy, Great Mountain and Cane Garden Bay and the rest of the rest of the territory of the Virgin Islands.

As we approach the end of the year and enter the holiday season, I’m reminded by the Theme at my Home Church which was; Faith Unfeigned in 2015. What does that look like? It looks like a young man having a burning desire to bring about Change to the very place that made him who he is today. It looks like him stepping out into the unknown and seeking the support of the very persons that raised, trained, taught, mentored and guided him along the way and receiving their overwhelming support in the June 8th elections to become the youngest elected member of the Government of the Virgin Islands. For this I am and will continually be humbled and extremely grateful.

More than 2,000 years ago, a child was born in the noblest of ways to persons who did not have a place to stay and were forced to stay in a manger among the cattle and the sheep.  This was no ordinary child, He is Jesus, The Christ. He wasn’t just a man but my bible tells me that he is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Rose of Sharon and the Bright and Morning Star. He is my Lord, He is My Savior and the celebration of his birth represents God’s love for us as his children and we are all expected to show love and love our neighbors as ourselves.

It is with the same love that I must also take the time to remember the persons and families in my district, their families and those in the wider Virgin Islands community who have lost loved ones during the year. I extend my deepest sympathies,  my prayers for strength and peace will continue to be with you and your families as you remember your loved ones. I know it may be difficult to celebrate without your loved one but I am convinced that through the fabric that is evident and runs through our veins as a people of faith and belief in God that we will get through it together. I also want to remember and say a special season’s greetings to those persons who may be in the Adina Donovan Home, Peebles Hospital and at Her Majesty’s Prison. I will ask you to also remember the people all around the world who too have been through and continue to go through times of difficulty like in Nigeria, France, Dominica, the USA and the in the middle east.

So even though the gifts and the parties are happening,  it is important for us to keep in mind the central message of this season, and keep Christ’s words not only in our thoughts, but also in our deeds.  In this season of love, let’s help those who need it most –- the homeless, the hungry, the sick and shut in.  In this season of plenty, let’s reach out to those who struggle to find work or provide for their families.  In this season of generosity, let us remember that the greatest gift is Love.

In 2015,  we as the people of the Virgin Islands whether resident, belonger or visitor continue to be blessed by the grace and mercies of God and as we bring down the curtains on this year, it is my prayer that in 2016 we will receive new blessing, mercies and grace for new year.

Again, to you the people of the second district and the Virgin Islands Community on behalf of my family and I, wish you a very merry Christmas 2015 and a most bountiful New Year for 2016.

God Bless you all and May God continue to Bless our Home Our Country these beautiful Virgin Islands.