Merry Christmas everyone.

It seems only the other day that we were looking forward to the excitement of the start of this Millennium Year. We saw it in with fireworks and parties and fortunately there were none of the predicted problems with computers and the Millennium Bug.

It turned out to be a memorable year. Maybe the most colourful, visually, was the wonderful array of Tall Ships seen on their way by so many people on the water and on land. Long term, perhaps the most significant event was the granting of World Heritage Status to St. George's by UNESCO.

Other notable events included the 50th Anniversary of the Bermuda Bowl with the world's top Bridge players returning to the Island for a superb tournament. And this year's Gold Cup Match Racing bought the world's best sailors to Bermuda soon after the America's Cup.

It was an Olympic year too, with sadness for the Bermuda team. However we had a thoroughly enjoyable Cup Match too, with a clearcut result.

Governor's message This sets the stage nicely for next year's 100th Cup Match.

Equally happily the Bermuda Festival celebrated its 25th Anniversary with an outstanding programme. Dr. Gary Burgess gave a farewell recital, but fortunately continues to conduct.

The Queen Mother reached the milestone of 100 years in good health and popular affection. Sadly others are no longer with us. I lost a special friend in the passing of Ross (Blackie) Talbot who did so much as an Ambassador for the Island and as promoter of social interaction between all Bermudians.

But just as some good friends leave us, so we welcome new lives. I recently acquired a new ADC, Captain Marc Telemaque, and soon after he took on the role he became the proud father of a baby son. At least two more people who work at Government House are expecting babies in the New Year.

And to close on this happy note. My wife and I were thrilled when our younger son and his girlfriend announced their engagement at the end of a holiday in Bermuda. We shall actually be spending Christmas in England to catch up on their wedding plans, and to see our other children and grandchildren.

It will be a lovely way to end a memorable year. My wife and I wish you all a very happy Christmas and joyful New Year at what is technically the real start of the new Millennium.

Premier Jennifer M. Smith It hardly seems possible that the year 2000 has evaporated so quickly. Time has marched us into yet another holiday season with the dawn of a New Year looming ahead. The year 2000 is coming to a close and it is hard to believe that this year, which we are celebrating as the first in the new millennium, is almost at an end.

Christmas symbolises the gift of sharing, the promise of peace. It reaffirms the inherent goodness in each of us, no matter what our faith. And it reminds us that if we lived the meaning and spirit of this season throughout the year, what a truly joyful world this would be.

While this is a time of celebration, it is also a time of reflection and resolution. Sometimes, in the rush of the holiday activity, we forget the true meaning of Christmas, which is to show kindness, tolerance and love to our fellow man without regard to race, creed or gender. Christmas is also an opportune time to recall the many things we have to be thankful for as a country -- the beauty of our Island home, the kindness of our neighbours, our safety and prosperity.

Premier's message Our blessings here in Bermuda are many, and I believe that we should count them, and give thanks for them, more often.

Many events this year have given us cause to rejoice. I am thinking particularly of the absence of hurricanes in the Bermuda area this year, the turn around in tourism, the benefits of our geographical location and of course, the honour bestowed on my home town, St. George's, with the designation of World Heritage status.

Long before the first Christmas, the great philosopher Aristotle reasoned that if liberty and equality were chiefly to be found in democracy, then they would be best attained when all persons shared in government to the utmost. Clearly that is the thinking of the Government as we seek to democratise the electoral process.

The divide in the fast-changing technological world in which we now live will be between those who are literate and able to take advantage of opportunities -- and those who are not. Our recently launched National Literacy Initiative speaks to the importance of literacy skills when it comes to such inclusion.

Not only will Bermuda be a model for e-commerce legislation and technology, but we will also show the world how the technological revolution an benefit the advantaged and disadvantaged alike.

I want to take this opportunity to thank on behalf of Government some of the people who make Bermuda such a special place to live in. I am thinking of those who contribute to our society with such commitment and enthusiasm -- the teachers who challenge our young people to make the most of their lives, the police who are on call night and day to protect and serve us, and the medical staff who care for us when we are sick. These, and many others, who provide service to the people of Bermuda and the Government deserve our thanks and our support.

We do not say it often enough, but we are grateful for the superb efforts of all of you.

At this time we should also carry in our thoughts and prayers those who do not enjoy all the blessings that we tend to take for granted. Those who are in ill health, those who struggle with financial difficulties to make ends meet, and those who grieve for loved ones. I pray that they will find solace and comfort during this holiday season.

The year 2000 has been a year of consolidation. Together we have continued to build on the foundations we have already laid for the new Bermuda -- a Bermuda where the principles that are core to Christmas...help for the downtrodden...hope in a new beginning. ..equality, will be even more central to our society.

Throughout this year, Government has endeavoured to reach out to all Bermuda.

We welcomed the opportunity to dialogue with you through televised roundtable discussions and town hall style public meetings.

In this season of goodwill, I am pleased to also celebrate the partnerships we are building with local businesses, international companies, the hotel industry and labour unions. And I take this opportunity to thank all of our partners in the various segments of the community for their support and for the considerable contribution they make to the welfare of this island. Thank you for devoting your time and your energy to building a new Bermuda.

The last two years have been a time of great change. That change will continue; and as it does we should all be thankful for our ability to debate our differences openly and in a climate of respect for one another, mindful of the commandment to love our neighbour as ourselves. Not everything is as it should be yet. However, we will continue to work as a Government on many fronts to address the issue that have not been addressed over the years. That is our commitment and our ongoing gift to you, the people of Bermuda.

On this special day, I urge you to experience the magic of this season by practising the message of peace and goodwill.

Christmas is about giving and about loving. It is a time for reflection and for hope. Whatever your personal beliefs and traditions I hope that you can all share in the optimism of Christmas, take the opportunity to renew yourselves in the company of family and friends, and prepare for the year ahead.

Celebration is an essential part of any holiday and today we celebrate those who create the jobs for our work force -- we wish you continued prosperity.

We celebrate those who work selflessly in the volunteer sector -- we wish you peace and rest during this season.

We celebrate those who take care of our Island and ensure it remains a tourist mecca -- we owe you our thanks.

We celebrate those who work in government -- thank you for your support.

At this time of year we remember the Christmas story. Lately, I have been thinking about those three wise men, walking mile after mile through the night, over hill and dale, disciplined and making enormous sacrifice to follow a bright star. I hope that all of us can, for the New Year, resolve to follow our individual stars. Willing to walk as long as it takes, to sacrifice, diligently following a path, and remaining focussed on our goals.

As with anything, great labour brings great reward. Let each of us find our star, and follow where it leads.

Joining me today to send Season's Greetings is the very literate P2 class of Somerset Primary ...Smith's Stars.

On behalf of my colleagues in Government, and from my family to yours, I extend warm season's greetings and hope that the love, peace and goodwill of the day will live in your hearts today and throughout the coming year.

I hope that whatever way you spend this very special holiday, it will be a blessed and enjoyable time for you and your families. Have a happy and safe holiday.

Opposition Leader Pamela F. Gordon As each year draws to a close, we enjoy a season of celebration. A celebration shared by many faiths and many nations that reflects our diversity as a people while highlighting the things we share in common. Our religious faiths are a small indication of our diversity. Years ago, an overwhelming majority of the people in Bermuda were of the Christian faith and we celebrated Christmas only. Today, we embrace a larger cross-section of faiths, religions and beliefs. Whether we are traditionalists in our faith or secular in our beliefs, whether we are members of the Baha'i community, Jehovah's Witnesses, whether we celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Ramadan, we all seek peace and harmony with one another.

An important part of the holiday season is the opportunity to reflect on the things for which we are grateful. We review the year just passing and anticipate plans for the year to come. In all of our busy schedules, this is the one time of the year that we can pause and be thankful for our many blessings.

Opposition Leader We note that this year people seem to be concentrating less on shiny manufactured products as evidenced by the concerns of retailers across North America. And while we wish the merchants, especially Bermuda's shopkeepers every success, within this cloud of worry, there may be a silver lining because this year people may give more of themselves.

Bermuda is truly blessed and we are very fortunate to live in a country where our rights and freedoms are never taken for granted. As I reflect on the year 2000, with the new millennium really about to begin, I thought of a list of gifts that each of us could give to one another: We can give the gift of respect to one another. By listening with greater care, honouring our elders who have worked so hard and deserve our respect in the twilight of their years and by putting others before ourselves is a selfless, respectful way of giving.

We can give the gift of laughter. Laughter is the song of the heart and tonic for the soul. We have so many reasons to find pleasure, to give joy and happiness to others in our island home.

We can give the gift of giving the best of ourselves. Each of us can commit to giving a little bit more, to give our very best effort, no matter what the circumstances. It is that little extra effort that shows we believe what we are doing is worthwhile.

We can give the gift of service to others. It is an honour to serve, and truly, this is a gift we give to ourselves. The more we give others with genuine care and concern, the more we receive in life.

We can give and receive the gift of family. I believe that God's most precious gift is the gift of children and grandchildren for they are the ones to carry on the existence of life and love. We must treat all children and family with respect and understanding.

We should always remember to give the gift of thanks, to demonstrate our appreciation for a deed well done.

I take this opportunity to give thanks to all of those people who enrich the Bermudian community all year round by giving of themselves. Profound thanks to all clergy, teachers, hospitality industry workers, public service workers, health care workers, and volunteer workers who have tirelessly ensured that the community at large has been well served. Over the holiday period let us specifically remember those persons working for everyone's benefit as we enjoy our time of rest.

On behalf of my family, parliamentarians, members, officers and supporters of the United Bermuda Party, we wish much happiness and continued blessings to you and your loved ones over this holiday season and the year to come.

Bishop of Bermuda The Rt. Rev. Ewen Ratteray At this time of year many are the people who would gather here in Bermuda and elsewhere with their families to celebrate Christmas.

It will be a time to share experiences, to catch up if there has been a separation of one kind or another, a time to joke and laugh together as we share a common meal. All of which makes this a very special season, completely unlike any other. For Christians, Christmas is the joyful celebration of an event unique in the world's history, the birth of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Our worship and adoration of the Child Jesus is central to the Christmas experience and unites heaven and earth in a wondrous way.

Jesus, born in the little town of Bethlehem, was none other than God's own Son, yet the very human child of the Virgin Mary. He was both God and Man, divine and human. His birth in the coldness of a stable was a demonstration of God's total love for and commitment to mankind, to all of us.

Continued on page 5 Bishop of Bermuda Continued from page 1 That commitment and the accompanying love has never wavered throughout history as the Church has sought to reach out to and embrace the needy of the world.

She has fed the hungry, given shelter to the homeless, visited the sick and the imprisoned and clothed the naked, for in doing so she does it as to Christ himself. The need to care for the weak, the powerless and vulnerable ones in our world is as great now as it ever has been in the past. Both as individuals and as the Body of Christ, Christians ought always to make sure that no one, especially at Christmas time, goes without. Therefore, we will be generous in our giving in material terms as well as generous when it comes to our attitude and behaviour toward all we encounter day by day. By such means we can ensure that the spirit of Christmas becomes incarnate in our hearts and lives, and that that spirit will affect all that we do in the year ahead of us.

May the love, peace and joy of the Christ Child remain with you and your lived ones this Christmas and always. A very Happy Christmas to you all!