Less than four months ago, Bermuda took the brunt of Hurricane Fabian, which brought with it heavy damage and tragedy.

When the winds ceased, Bermuda showed it was battered but unbroken and that the generosity of spirit and forbearance in the face of tough times showed why Bermuda is such a special place.

It would be naive to suggest that residents of Bermuda should demonstrate that same unselfishness and giving spirit at all times. Crises provoke particular reactions and force changes in attitudes and perceptions to match the needs of the time.

It would be neither realistic nor desirable for Bermuda to try to mimic the atmosphere of a crisis in daily life when normality is often needed.

Then too, the emergency responses that worked so well in dealing with Fabian?s aftermath are not necessarily the same best answers for the longer-standing and more complex problems that face Bermuda every day.

Issues including housing, substance abuse, education, crime and tourism did not arise overnight and they can?t be solved in a matter of weeks either.

But that does not mean that they can?t be solved at all. And if people connected to a particular field were to come together with some ?Fabian spirit? then it is quite possible that these problems could be fixed within the nest few years.

The problems Bermuda faces are complex, but they are not insurmountable.

This is a wealthy country, and there is no reason why all our residents cannot be adequately housed. We face challenges from crime and drugs, but a concerted community effort can overcome them.

There are signs that the political divisions that have characterised debate over the future of tourism are diminishing and now Bermuda can decide what kind and size of tourism it wants.

All of the problems Bermuda faces can be solved if there is honest give and take, if we are willing to put our preconceived notions aside and put the interests of the whole community first.

Tomorrow, Christians celebrate the birth of Christ and the message that he bought. Even non-Christians can learn from the fundamental lessons he taught, beginning with the Golden Rule.

If we in Bermuda can ?do unto others what you would have them do to you ...?, we can make Bermuda a better place. That should apply in all facets of our lives.

Christmas is a time for remembering the gains and losses of the last year, and for many people, this can be a particularly hard time for those who have lost loved ones in the past year. It would be worth taking the time to think of the families of the four people who lost their lives during Hurricane Fabian, and to remember those closer to home who have also passed on.

But Christmas is also a time of birth and rebirth; a time to be optimistic about the future. Seeing the excitement of children enjoying the magic of Christmas is a reminder both of youthful innocence and of the power of Christ?s message.

On behalf of all of the staff of , may you have a happy and safe Christmas.