Merry Christmas, Bermuda.

This season invites us to pause, reflect and appreciate the people who bring meaning and purpose to our lives.

Christmas reminds us that the greatest gifts we share are not wrapped, purchased or placed under a tree. They are found in our homes, our families, our faith and in the strength of a community that has always carried one another through good times and difficult ones.

Across the island, Bermudians are coming together at church services where familiar hymns fill the air, in kitchens scented with cassava pie and turkey, and in living rooms where laughter and music echo into the night. These traditions connect us to our past and remind us of who we are as a people.

But even in this joyful season, we know that not everyone is celebrating with ease. Some families are feeling the absence of a loved one gone too soon. Others are facing financial challenges that make this time of year more difficult. To every person who is grieving, and to every family carrying heavy burdens, you are not forgotten. We pray that the peace promised in this season brings comfort and strength.

For Christians, Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ, a moment that signalled hope for a weary world. The Gospel of Matthew reminds us: “They will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God with us’.”

This message of hope and renewal has carried through generations, and we see its reflection in how Bermudians care for one another during this season.

When I look around Bermuda, I see that spirit everywhere. In the neighbour who checks in on an elderly resident. In the volunteers preparing meals and delivering baskets. In the generosity of churches, charities and community groups that lift up those in need. In the quiet, everyday kindness that never makes headlines but defines who we are.

This spirit is the true meaning of Christmas, and it is the true spirit of Bermuda.

There is much this year that reminds us of our collective strength. We have seen Bermudians achieve remarkable things, whether on the world stage in sports and the arts, or here at home through service, mentorship and dedication to community.

Our young people continue to inspire us with their talents. Our educators and healthcare workers continue to give selflessly. Our cultural bearers, from musicians to Gombeys, continue to carry forward our culture with pride.

As we approach the end of this year and look toward 2026, I am filled with hope. Hope that comes from witnessing the resilience of our families. Hope that comes from seeing communities support one another. And hope that grows from the values that have carried our island through every generation.

My prayer for our island is that we carry the spirit of Christmas, its compassion and unity, beyond this season and into the year ahead. Let us continue to look out for one another, to uplift those who need support, and to build a future grounded in fairness, dignity, and shared opportunity.

This holiday season, I pray that your homes are filled with peace, that your families are surrounded by love, and that the new year brings comfort and opportunity.

From our family to yours,

We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

• David Burt is the Premier of Bermuda