Dear Friends, I live on Point Finger Road, just opposite the entrance to the Botanical Gardens. Most days of the week I try to take an early morning walk in the gardens. At this time of year my attention is especially drawn to the words sculpted into the grass in front of Camden House. The letters are cleanly cut out of the grass and planted with little white flowers whose name I have yet to learn. The words convey a beautiful message in full bloom for all to see: Peace on earth!

Christmas is the time of year where we hear once again the message of the angels: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests."

At this Christmas Season of the year 2004, I believe God's favour rests on us because there are new signs of hope for peace on earth. I see hope in the new coalition government proposed in Israel which offers the possibility of movement towards the establishment of a Palestinian State and the easing of tensions throughout the Middle East. I see hope in the democratic elections recently held in Afghanistan and those about to be held in Iraq. I see hope in the mediation of the United Nations in the humanitarian crisis of Darfur, Sudan and in other areas of Africa. And, for our own island nation of Bermuda, I see hope in the inspired words of Pastor Terrence Stovell who recently addressed the Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast and challenged all of us who were present to work together for the good of the people of Bermuda.

There is a hymn that we sing in Church which begins with the words: "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me." World peace and national unity begins in our own heart. But peace of heart is also a gift of God.

The message of the Angels at Christmas is that once again God offers us the gift of inner peace in Jesus, the Son of God who became man for us and for our salvation. The gift of God's peace is ours for the asking by welcoming and accepting Jesus who is the Prince of Peace.

On my way home from my walk in the Botanical Gardens, I usually stop for a moment at my favourite spot the formal garden with its four magnificent flower beds. In the centre of the garden is a sundial with a very interesting inscription on the column which supports it. In time-worn and weather-beaten letters it reads: "I count the bright hours only."

My Christmas wish and prayer for you and for our world is that we will experience many bright hours during the Christmas Season and throughout the New Year of 2005.

Peace be with you!