Happy Holidays to all and greetings from Camden.

How time flies. Another Christmas season is upon us, and as another year ends, another year is about to begin.

Therefore, it is of course a good time to reflect on the blessings we have received over the past year. A time to pause and consider the good that has been done by us and for us.

Also it is a time to contemplate the hope and optimism of the future Our future and the future of the world around us.

How will the course of events both local and international impact on our lives and influence our Island Home.

Fellow Bermudians and Friends of Bermuda, the year has been one of successes and, yes, disappointments; a year, at times, sprinkled with despair but always, always sustained by hope.

The Christmas season because we must never forget the reason for the season, imbues us all with a spirit of goodwill for our fellowman and country.

We, in the Government, have taken the time to reflect soberly on our work as the servants of the people. We have come to appreciate more fully than ever before both our challenges and our promise. But perhaps, perhaps, most of all we have come to a deeper understanding of the rich and boundless potential of our diverse community.

And so it is that we head into the future with the needs, hopes and desires of the people firmly in mind.

We are buoyed by your enthusiasm, passions and, yes, your hope for a better Bermuda. We are buoyed by the fact that you know we can only grow as a country by growing together. Supporting each other and, yes, loving and respecting one another ? a little more each year than the year before ? at Christmas time.

Let the year to come be one of embracing our differences, while seeking ways to progress together as a nation.

Let us commit to continue to sacrifice for our community and others beyond our shores. Let the spirit of charity that is legendary in these isles continue to bloom.

But most of all, most of all let us all pray for greater stability in our society, and for peace and good will to all the men and women who inhabit our shores. May the good that we do return to us tenfold.

To illustrate my point, I conclude with an anecdote from Grenada. A five year old wrote to Col. Lamb, the Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Regiment: "Thank you for fixing the roof to my school," she said. "It doesn't leak anymore on my books when it rains."

There is no amount of money or any gift that could bring greater joy than that humble thank you from our little neighbour thousands of miles away.

I urge all of you, my fellow Bermudians, to take to heart during this festive season, the Christmas story, which contains within it the very special message of giving and sacrifice, love and hope.

And so from my family to yours, have a very special Christmas and a prosperous New Year.