Presiding Elder AME Churches "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift ...'' 1st Corinthians 9:15 For days now the question uppermost in the minds of little children has been, "What will I get for Christmas?'' Our older minds have been given much though to, "What shall I give this Christmas?'' The question comes to us, what started all of this giving and celebration? My personal belief is that the spirit of giving stemmed from the nature of God himself, who on that first Christmas, almost two thousand years ago, God gave the best that this world could ever imagine. He sent his son from the throne of heaven, down through Rev. Malcolm Eve From Page 1 barn in Bethlehem, and Prophet, to give this dark world a child of light. At his birth, we are told that wise men made a long journey, following a star, began to rejoice with exceeding great joy. And when they came to the place where Christ was born, they fell down and worshipped him, and when they opened their treasures, they gave him gifts. They caught the spirit of the event, for that's what God was doing through the child, he was giving and he was making love incarnate, he was transforming something spiritual into someone who men could see, hear and touch. As we continue to experience darkness that prevails in our society, when countless persons will use this holy season as an excuse for an extravagant holiday with no thought of the gift of the saviour.

We think of how the celebration of Christ's birth has gathered to itself the fir tree from pre-Christian Germany and transformed it into the Christmas tree. How Christmas has included the yule log from pagan Iceland, the mistletoe from early England, the jolly St. Nicholas from Holland, the Kwanza celebration from Africa, says the goodness, greatness and gladness of God's gift is embedded into the lives and legends of all people.

So let us open our hearts and lives to the spirit of Christ for without Him there would be no Christmas, but with Him there can be peace on earth and goodwill to men.

May God bless all of you at this Christmas time and make us a blessing to others.

THE VEN. A. EWEN RATTERAY Archdeacon of the Anglican Church of Bermuda God's gift of his son at Christmas is cause for great joy and celebration.

Around the world in both humble and splendid settings, this great good news is being commemorated in a variety of ways. In the offering of worship, the gathering of family and friends, the sharing of food and drink, the giving and receiving of gifts and the sharing of worldly goods with those in need, at home and abroad. These are just some of the ways by which people of all races, cultures and languages express their gladness at this time of year. Such happiness and feelings of goodwill are due to the simple fact that long ago, a Ven. Ewen Ratteray From Page 1 child in a stable in Bethlehem. This child, so humble born, was no ordinary child, but none other than God's only son, the world's saviour, Jesus.

The world was not quite ready for such good news, so it did not welcome him.

Even before he was born, Mary and Joseph were unable to find a place for that birth. Hence his entry into our world was witnessed by adoring parents and uncomprehending animals. Within a short space of time he became a refugee, due to the jealousy and suspicion of a local monarch. Such was the inauspicious beginning to his life on earth. Thus Jesus is for all time associated with the outcast, the rejected and the unloved, for both at birth and in death, he was despised and rejected by men.

It is this person, Jesus of Nazareth, whom we worship and adore at Christmas.

However, it seems to me that our adoring worship will only have real meaning if we be willing to embrace and give aid to the rejected and outcasts of our own time. These are such folk as aids sufferers, alcoholics and drug addicts to name but three groups. Our love and concern for such persons is a measure of our love for, and commitment to, the Christ child. May our eyes be open to see in the faces of those in need the loving face of our Saviour. And may we be willing to give of our time and our wealth to them on a continual, rather than a seasonal, basis.

I wish all of you much joy and peace this Christmas.

THE REV. LEONARD SANTUCCI Pastor, Heard Chapel AME President, BCMA As Christian people and countries pause at this time of the year to celebrate Christmas, I wish to extend to our island community, sincere greetings on behalf of the Bermuda Christian Ministerial Association.

Members of our fellowship recognise that the celebration of Christmas has different meanings for people, subject to their cultural and spiritual heritage and formation. For some people Christmas is a commercial enterprise.

For others it is a deeply sacred activity arising from their faith in God and relationship with Him through Christ.

Within Christianity, Christmas, which is a celebration of Christ's birth, is Rev. Leonard Santucci From Page 1 grace and redemptive plan for man. John 3:16 says; "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'' On the very first Christmas, the day Christ was born, God gave to man the ultimate gift. God sent forth Christ that we through Him might be re-established with God in a perfect relationship and fellowship.

My prayer for Bermuda, her citizens and the world is that this Christmas will cause us to examine our relationship and fellowship. May each of us endeavour to strengthen our relationships with God, our family, friends and neighbours.

May the strength of our relationship bring to us on abiding fellowship.

As you celebrate Christmas, amidst your giving and receiving gifts, may you become to others the gift of love and fellowship God would have you to be. God bless and keep you.

THE GOVERNOR LORD WADDINGTON They are getting to be a habit with me -- these Christmas messages, and I have to be careful that they don't just become a matter of form. I want this one in particular to reflect our love for Bermuda and our thanks to the people of Bermuda for allowing us to live among them in this beautiful place.

1995 has certainly been an eventful year and a year of some political turmoil.

We lost one Premier and gained another. That doesn't happen every year and it would be entirely wrong if I did not pay tribute to Sir John Swan for his years of dedicated service following his becoming Premier back in 1982.

The Referendum debate stirred strong emotions and perhaps we are now entitled From Page 1 the din of political controversy. I am sure that Christmas in particular is a time when we should seek to emphasise those things we have in common rather than harp on matters which drive us apart. Just think for a moment about all those things about which we do agree. Aren't they the things which really matter? Peace -- that's something for which we all pray. We all want our young people to grow up free from fear and with the opportunity to develop to the fullest the talents God has given them. We all want to see those who cannot look after themselves through age or disability properly cared for. Let us make a vow to work together in the coming year to make Bermuda an even better place. We can have our honest differences but let us resolve not to tear ourselves apart in needless conflict.

I said it has been an eventful year. It has been a year of change, with the departure of the Americans from the US Naval Air Station, the handing over to the airport to Bermuda and the closure of HMS Malabar. On Saturday 18 February a Parade on Front Street celebrated the Royal Navy's 200-year-long association with Bermuda, and shortly afterward the White Ensign was a lowered at Malabar for the last time. At the Parade in Hamilton I said: "The Association between the Royal Navy and Bermuda will not come to an end when HMS Malabar closes. We will merely be closing one chapter in a long and honourable history,'' and the truth of what I said has since been amply demonstrated by the number of ships of the Royal Navy which have called here recently. It was a well-deserved tribute to Bermuda when a guard of honour from HMS Montrose took part in our Armistice Day Service of remembrance on 11 November.

In August we also had a reminder that Bermudians and Britons fought alongside each other in the cause of freedom. Four Bermuda War Veterans: Sir John Sharpe, Mr. Frank Farmer, Sgt. Major Wade -- Freddie Wade's father, and Mr.

Llewellyn Petty travelled to London for the V.J. Day Celebrations. And how proud, how rightly proud they were to take part. Three members of the Bermuda Regiment also attended the V.J. Day celebrations, and altogether, it has been a very eventful year for the regiment. I congratulate the Commanding Officer on his leadership and all ranks for the service they have given their country.

I also want to thank the Police for their work. In March, we welcomed a new Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner. they and all members of the Service have worked hard in their efforts to keep Bermuda safe for law-abiding citizens.

They are entitled to and increasingly are getting the co-operation of the community in the work.

In the weeks up to Christmas my wife and I have as usual, visited the hospitals and homes where the elderly are cared for and the PALS Christmas Party, and all those who look after the old and sick in Bermuda deserve our special thanks. So does every member of the great band of people who man our charities and voluntary organisations. I include my wife in that thank-you because I think people sometimes forget the heavy burden that does rest on the wives of Governors.

Christmas is a time when people pack the Churches of Bermuda to thank God for his many blessings. One does not have to go far in Bermuda to see these blessings with our own eyes. We thank God now and pray for those in other lands less fortunate than ourselves.

My very best wishes to you all.

PREMIER DAVID SAUL Last December I did not imagine that today I would be bringing you a message for Christmas as your Premier. Hence I greet you with humility and consider it a privilege to celebrate this occasion with you today.

When I accepted the responsibility of leadership of this country, I set one overriding objective for myself which would guide me in my job as Premier: I adopted the words found in the morning prayer said in Parliament which calls for us to "advance the peace, prosperity and the welfare of these Islands''.

At no other time is this theme more relevant, for it is embodied in the essential promise of Christmas: Peace on earth and goodwill to all men.

Premier David Saul From Page 1 be reminded that there can be no peace unless we demonstrate goodwill towards all who share our island home.

1995 has been a difficult year for Bermuda in many respects. Differences of opinion led to conflict, division and discord in our small community. We tended to emphasise our differences instead of building on our unique similarities and strengths. We allowed ourselves to lose sight of the fact that inherently, we are a people who value harmony and peace. We need to re-commit ourselves to more positive thinking and build on our strengths in the coming year.

As we look around us, there is so much to be thankful for. Our problems are insignificant compared with the human depravation, domestic strife and absence of law and order which so many other countries seem to accept as a way of life.

Bermudian hospitality, friendliness and stability are the cornerstones of our economic success and, in spite of the fragile and unpredictable nature of our livelihood, Bermudian ingenuity has prevailed. We have always been able to work together and take great pride in our country's achievements. There is every reason for us to continue to do so.

Even though we have been sorely tested in 1995, I am convinced that the experience has made us stronger and we can move forward in 1996 with optimism.

As I travel up and down this island home of ours, I am heartened by what I see as a genuine desire for peace and tranquillity coupled with a willingness to make this country better than it ever was. That in itself is something to celebrate this Christmas.

On behalf of my wife and family and my colleagues in Government, I wish every one of you a happy and peaceful Christmas and a New Year of peace, prosperity and goodwill.

May God continue to bless us all.

L. FREDERICK WADE Opposition Leader Again it is Christmas time in Bermuda. A time for peace, goodwill and family.

It is a time when the entire community is focused on giving and doing the best to make everyone around them happy. My first wish is that this spirit of goodwill will overtake us and prevail throughout the New Year.

Our country has had a year of turmoil and upheaval. The Referendum on Independence, the resignation of the Swan Administration, the upsurge in crime and drug abuse, the crisis in education and the general uncertainty in the political arena are all cause for our concern and clear thinking.

Next year we shall have to buckle down to very serious hard work to get the Mr. Frederick Wade From Page 1 under control. We must have the courage and demand sterling leadership and we ourselves must chip in and do our bit to see our country succeed.

We must pray for peace in the world, the restoration of our family life and a country free from the bitter strife of racial discord.

I know we have the will and the strength of character to work for a bright future for our country.

My wife, our children and I, the Officers and Members of the Progressive Labour Party wish you and your family a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.