CATEGORY:CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
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Inside Grenada
Sunday December 24,2006


FELLOW CITIZENS, as we celebrate the Birth of Christ, let us reflect on our many blessings and the remarkable progress we have made together. Let us thank the good Lord for taking us through the difficult times, and at the same time, preparing us for the challenge ahead.

The Christmas season traditionally brings out the best in all of us. Our kindness and consideration for others takes precedence. Let us embrace this sharing spirit as a reminder of what life can be not only at Christmas, but throughout the year.

Sisters and brothers; the challenge is: “Do we have the collective will and desire to sustain this feeling – this atmosphere of Love and Harmony that benefits all?

Indeed, let us be reminded that love lives inside each of us.

As we reflect on the challenges that came before us in 2006, our achievements in the developmental process have been significant. Together, we were able to set this beautiful Nation on a sustainable path forward. Together, we were able to move from hurricane recovery to concentrating on being the very best we can be. God is good. However, we cannot rest on our laurels. There is so much yet to be done.

Brothers and sisters, as a Government and a people, we have learned from our successes and our mistakes. Any setbacks we have endured have better prepared us to overcome future challenges. The experience and knowledge your Government has gained over the years provides an invaluable balance of foresight and hindsight for the future.

As we are told in Proverbs: “Through wisdom a House is built …and by understanding it is established.”

If our experiences and demonstrations of resilience following two hurricanes can be used as criteria to measure our potential for undertaking future tasks, we are well positioned to achieve even greater successes.

We know that there are some of us still hurting and need help. As we undertake the challenge of meeting these needs, we ask the Good Lord to help us along the way.

Year 2007 promises to be a Banner year. Cricket World Cup will put Grenada on the world stage for billions of viewers. Let us continue to put all-hands-on-deck and show the rest of the world what makes us a special people. I urge each of you to maximize every opportunity to provide support services for what will undoubtedly be the biggest international event our Country has ever hosted.

Sometimes we are a bit too reticent about being all that we can be. There is tremendous hope for all of us. Yes, there are those among us who don’t trust themselves…they refuse to challenge themselves…they don’t believe in themselves. In some cases, they don’t even like themselves.

Sisters and brothers, I beg you “don’t be your own worst enemy.” Rely on the strengths that make you who you are, before you can become what you want to be. Let us be reminded that: “Beyond the haze of our worst fears, there is the promise of brighter years.”

Fellow citizens, as families come together this festive season, let us all pray for the maintenance of the Family structure and the healing of those in turmoil. Indeed, the Family is the blood-line of our Community and our Community is the cornerstone of our Society.

May the magic of the season transform the souls of the misdirected – making them progressive and productive citizens. May that transformation last into the New Year and beyond.

I take the opportunity of this Christmas message to compliment the Public Service, Teachers, Police Officers, the religious community, doctors, nurses and other care-givers, business owners and managers, retail workers, dock workers, farmers and farm workers, our fisherfolk, hoteliers and hotel workers, utility workers, road workers, sportsmen and women, our students, media workers, parents and guardians, and all other groups and individuals who have worked so hard to rebuild this Country.

I especially want to commend those who have gone beyond the call of duty to make our Nation a better place.

I also take this opportunity, once again, to thank our regional and international friends who have helped us, as well as the Grenadians living abroad who have always stood by us.

Fellow Grenadians, let us enter the New Year with renewed spirit and vigour in the ongoing quest for the continued advancement of this Nation. Let us live the will of God.

May God continue to bless us, as we continue to undertake the challenge of nation building in pursuit of our long-term vision for a healthy, educated, productive and prosperous Nation.

On behalf of the Government, and on my own behalf and that of my family, I wish every Grenadian, at home and abroad, a joyful Christmas and a rewarding New Year. Thank you.