A very Merry Christmas to all of you!

I love the Advent - Christmas season. I love receiving Christmas cards and writing to family and friends in different parts of the world. I am always inspired by people's generous response to the needs of others at Christmas.

During the past couple of weeks, people attending the Sunday liturgies in all Catholic parishes have brought packaged and canned goods to the Churches for the food hampers to be distributed to those in need by the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The students at Mount Saint Agnes Academy assist in the project by covering and decorating the food hampers with Christmas designs.

It gives me great joy and encouragement to see people reaching out to others. I suspect it does the same for you.

In the book of the Prophet Isaiah we read: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown" (9:1).

At this time of the year when the nights are at their longest, we celebrate Christmas and we commemorate the birth of Jesus who is the Light of the world. Jesus the eternal Word of God is born a child; He shares our human condition in every way but sin. Jesus is the Christ, the promised One of God who is born "for us and for our salvation." Jesus is the Saviour. He enlightens our darkness. He is our hope and our peace. In the year of the Lord 2002, we fervently pray that a peaceful solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict might be found. May the weapons of war be far removed from Manger Square in the "Little Town of Bethlehem" where Jesus was born.

The light of Christ enlightens us to give thanks to God for the many blessings we receive at Christmas: The joy of family and friends; Gifts given and received; and signs of goodness and love exchanged this holy season.

In a world marked by turmoil and strife, we are blessed to live in a free country. Christmas is a time to give thanks to God and to pray for Bermuda and its leaders: Our governor, Sir John Vereker; our Premier, the Honorable Jennifer Smith;

all the Honorable Ministers of Government and members of Parliament; the distinguished members of the Judiciary; the Mayors of St. George's and Hamilton; and all our civil servants.

May God's blessings and the light of the newborn Christ be with you in your service to the people of Bermuda.

In this time of Christmas light and joy our hearts go out to the sick, the suffering and those who care for them: Those in hospital and nursing homes; and those confined to their own homes due to age or illness.

The light of Christ also helps us to see and to embrace with love and compassion those who recently have suffered the death of a loved one, those who face serious problems in their personal, married or family life. May the light of the Saviour's birth be a beacon of hope and a sure guide through the darkness.

The light of Christ is a welcoming light. It guided the Wise Men of the East to find the newborn Saviour. We live in a world where many people are turned off by "organised religion". People react negatively to the so-called "institutional Church". Yet, people still search for meaning and happiness in their life. They feel a hole in their soul. The "wise men" and "wise women" still seek the Lord. And to my Catholic brothers and sisters who are no longer active in the Church, I say "welcome", come home for Christmas. You are truly welcome at Midnight Mass and all Christian liturgies.

"Those who walked in darkness have seen a great light." May the light and the love of God, which comes to us in the birth of Jesus, fill your hearts this Christmas season and every day of the New Year.