Merry Christmas! From Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, Senior Minister and Parliamentary Representative for St Christopher #7
I am delighted to extend Christmas Greetings to all citizens and residents of St Kitts and Nevis at this special time when we come together once again as a Nation to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Across our country many people, adults and children, will share in the traditions we cherish and the blessings for which we are thankful. For it's that time of year again when some of us would renovate our homes, decorate Christmas trees, buy gifts for our children, family and friends, attempt to eat and drink more than usual and wish a "Merry Christmas" to those we meet. It is a time when we reunite with families and friends from overseas who come to share in this special event and enjoy our unique festive activities.
But even as many celebrate this holiday season, there are those among us who continue to endure the effects of a long recession that still has so many struggling to find jobs and pay their bills. For many people, this Christmas will be a time of sorrow. The “Merry” in Christmas will have little meaning to those who don't have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends or invite neighbours in for a drink or a traditional Christmas meal. Others will be saddened when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons. Christmas celebrations will only be a wish for some.
But, no matter our tribulations, the scripture tells us that Christmas is a time of joy, hope, love, healing and renewal. It is the time that God demonstrated his great love for us by giving us, on Christmas Day, his only Son Jesus Christ. The Christ child was born to Joseph and Mary in the town of Bethlehem and his birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was no ordinary baby born this day because the prophets had foretold of His coming hundreds of years before.
God sent His son to heal a world that had become cruel, hard, wicked and evil. A world in which ignorance, superstition, greed, hatred and hypocrisy prevailed. Purity was forgotten and morality was neglected.
God sent His son to bring truth, love, hope and salvation to us all. During his sojourn on earth he went about doing good: healing the sick, bringing sight to the blind, cleansing the lepers, evicting demons and admonishing the world to the path of righteousness. In the end he would die for our sins and transgressions. His resurrection signifies his triumph over death.
We can acknowledge that we have an all powerful, all knowing God and so even in the midst of uncertainty, we must find the courage to face the future confidently once we put our trust in God. Let the message of God’s power, mercy and grace, influence all of our actions, not only during the Christmas season but every day of our lives.
May all my Constituents, my well wishers and indeed all people of the world enjoy a blessed Christmas and may new opportunities and new blessings come our way in 2013.
Merry Christmas to you ALL.
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