Bishop of Bermuda *** Earlier this year my wife and I went on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with an American group. It was a wonderfully uplifting spiritual experience being in the land of Jesus and the first disciples. In visiting many of the holy places, we felt our faith renewed and strengthened.

A number of memories are still very fresh in our minds, memories that will colour our celebration of Christ's birth. We will never forget: A: The military checkpoint outside Bethlehem; and the sight of our guide, at the end of our tour, having to walk past a number of armed soldiers to her home in Bethlehem. We were prevented from dropping her off! B: Having to bend double in order to enter the Church of the Nativity, an appropriate act of humility.

C: The glorious sight, sound and smell of an Eastern Orthodox Liturgy being celebrated in the church built over the site of our Lord's birth.

D: Praying at the place where Jesus was born.

The presence of the military in Israel is difficult to either escape or ignore. It is a reminder to us that though Christ was born 2000 years ago, yet a great deal has not changed in the world he came to save. When he was born the world did not want to know him, and failed to recognise him. He was rejected and made to flee his homeland. His followers today in Palestine are treated as less than first class citizens in the land of their birth. Let us not forget them in the midst of all our festivities.

THE RT. REV. EWEN RATTERAY Bishop of Bermuda *** Central to all that we do at Christmas should be worship. This means first of all that we rejoice, give thanks and praise to God for the precious gift of His son our Lord Jesus. Our hymns and carols of praise are expressive of the joy that is in our hearts because of His birth. Secondly we bring before God those whose lives have been diminished by violence, by illness or by political and economic misfortunes. This is the reality facing millions in our world, and close at hand in our community here in Bermuda. We offer our prayers for the homeless around the world, the millions of refugees in Africa and Europe, those suffering from AIDS, and we give whatever help we can to alleviate their pain. Our love for Christ demands that we be concerned about and compassionate towards such needy persons.

May our celebration of the birth of Jesus bring us a sense of peace and joy, and may we share the same with those around us and beyond these shores.

I wish you all a very Happy Christmas.

MOST REV. ROBERT J. KURTZ, C.R.

Bishop of Hamilton in Bermuda *** A very merry Christmas to all of you! On Christmas Eve many will gather in the Catholic Churches of Bermuda to celebrate Midnight Mass. In the first scripture reading the words of the Prophet Isaiah will be proclaimed: "Those who walked in the dark have seen a bright light. And it shines upon everyone who lives in the land of darkest shadows.'' 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.

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; 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, Lord Waddington; our Premier, David Saul; all the honourable ministers of Government and members of Parliament; and all of our municipal officials.

MOST REV. ROBERT J. KURTZ, C.R.

Bishop of Hamilton in Bermuda *** May God's blessings and the light of Christ be with them in their 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; those confined to their own homes due to age or illness.

My dear friends, in the mystery of God's love and providence we join with you and pray that the light and joy of Christmas may fill your hearts.

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 new born Christ child. To those who may feel alienated from their churches, all churches, I say: "Come home for Christmas.'' To my Catholic brothers and sisters who have stopped practising the faith or who have even left the Church I say "Welcome.'' You are truly welcome at Midnight Mass and all the Christmas liturgies. Come home for Christmas! "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.

THE REV. MALCOLM L. EVE Presiding Elder AME Churches *** On behalf of Bishop Philip R. Cousin Sr., the ministers and members of The African Methodist Episcopal Communion in Bermuda, it is my joy to share with you another Christmas message.

It has been said that one of the surest signs that one is getting old is how quickly time passes. I'm sure you can recall your childhood days when it seems like Christmas would never come. It seems like it was just recently we threw out the tree, packed away the lights and decorations, counted the cost of Christmas which we allow to be a drain on many of us, physically, emotionally, mentally and financially. However, 12 months have passed, as we reflect on 1996, it has been a good year for some and not so good for others, but whatever your portion has been the fact that we are here to celebrate another Christmas says that we have been recipients of God's grace and mercy. So it is with Thanksgiving that we come to adore, magnify and exalt His Name! The Christmas story still brings with it joy to the world, and the excitement of giving and receiving, and one never tires of the astonishing announcement made to Mary and Joseph, the good news proclaimed to the shepherds as they watched their flocks by night, the visit of the wise men bringing their gifts and the angelic host giving glory and honour and praise to the Christ child.

As part of the Christian community we worship Him today, we worship not a babe in a manger, but one who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords...

THE REV. MALCOLM L. EVE Presiding Elder AME Churches *** One who is this dark world's light, and because He is, the Christian church will continue to proclaim the good news of His birth as we enjoy the blessings of the season, and in a few days a new year with all of its challenges, uncertainties and unpredictables. For some it will be Christmas one day and a crisis the next, but our prayer is that in the coming year, the family, which is God's greatest resource will be reclaimed, restored and reunited, and that God who is our Father will be given His rightful place as head of our families so that peace and goodwill might reign forever.

REV. HENRY SHEPHERD Chairman of CPMF Steering Committee *** On behalf of the Central Parishes Ministerial Fellowship I wish you a very happy Christmas.

There are so many good things about Christmas: the family reunions, the giving and receiving of presents, the care we offer to those at the margins of society. We spend more time with our children. We enjoy their school pageants and Sunday School tableaux. At Christmas, stores become more cheerful, hospital wards more glowing. In 1914 the Spirit of Christmas stopped the war -- if only for a day -- and carols were sung and football matches played across entrenched divisions.

These things are good. No one person's experience will include them all but I hope enough of these good things are yours this Christmas.

But sometimes the good is the enemy of the best. Sometimes these things so monopolise our horizons that the best gift of Christmas is hidden. For the best gift of Christmas is Jesus Christ. He is Emmanuel, God with us. In him God comes to show us his love and righteousness, his humility and power. He is God's best, God's eternal, gift.

He was, he is, so important that God prepared especially for his coming. He sent John the Baptist to prepare the way and call people to repentance, and John called considerable attention to himself. But at the same time he said he was not the one who was to come, the Messiah. He was only the forerunner of one much greater than himself....so much greater that he was not worthy to tie his shoe lace.

REV. HENRY SHEPHERD Chairman of CPMF Steering Committee *** He had to point to Jesus. What he offered mankind was good but it would fail if people stopped with him, if they preferred him to the best. Christmas will not come true for us if we fail in the love and kindness we share at this time, if we fall short of the good impulses of Christmas, if peace and goodwill do not fill our streets, even more our homes and hearts, this Tuesday night, this Wednesday morning. There are social and political changes for us to embrace this Christmas as surely as there are friends and family to embrace with equal conviction.

But there is a Christ child to embrace too, a baby to adore rough-lying in the straw. May his joy and his peace and his righteousness fill your heart and mine anew tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.

CHURCH CHU