deal to celebrate. As we give thanks for the birth of Christ we should also give thanks for the high quality our lives here in Bermuda.

Sometimes it takes a bit of a hard time to make people aware of just how good things really are. And, despite a recession, things are not so bad in Bermuda.

It has not been a good year but when we compare our lives to other countries, Bermuda is still the best of the islands and a leader in world prosperity. If we compare the effects of the recession on Bermuda and the effects on other countries, we survived very well because our economy was strong. When we bemoan our hard times, we are quibbling with excellence. Because Bermudians have had it so good for so long, they tend to be a bit spoiled by success and riches. It is difficult to believe that any country has ever provided the good life for such a wide array of its people as Bermudians enjoy. Bermuda is the best place and too often we forget that.

We have been spared the hard core poverty, extensive homelessness and wide unemployment that plagues so much of the world.

True, our economy is not as strong as it once was and we do have homelessness and unemployment but very few economies are as strong, and ours is basically healthy and vibrant and feeds and clothes us well. We take for granted in our every day lives things which most people consider extreme luxuries. Our shops complain that people shop abroad while many countries complain that their people have no money to shop at all.

It is fashionable to moan about the education system but we educate our children both at home and abroad to enviable standards.

In the United States there is a raging debate about health care, a problem which we took care of very well years ago.

God blessed this Country with a physical location which fosters its prosperity and a climate neither too hot nor too cold, neither too dry nor too wet, neither too windy nor too calm.

We have a legal system from Police to Judges which is well trained, honest, dignified and supports the integrity of the law.

This Country is well run and well governed and well served by the general array of public servants and not too many countries can say that. We only have to look at the Bahamas today to see what bad government can do to a country.

Bermuda's people are concerned and free and speak their minds. They also love their Country. Being free to give thanks to God for the birth of his son is something many of the world's people do not enjoy.

There are things we pray for in this season of goodwill like greater understanding of individuals, less intolerance and healthier race relations.

But there is plenty to be thankful for in this Island of ours.