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On behalf of my Parliamentary colleagues and members of the United Bermuda Party, I want to extend our best wishes to the people of Bermuda this Christmas Day.

We have much to be thankful for in our beautiful island home, and Christmas gives us the chance to celebrate the foundations and significance of our life together - our family and friends, our church and community; all things great and small that make Bermuda special.

This treasured world of ours faces serious challenges today and in the months to come. All of us understand the meaning of Bermuda as 'Another World', but we also know we are not immune to the turmoil affecting the world beyond our shores.

Already, economic storm clouds are buffeting the island in the form of lay-offs, company closures and smaller pay cheques.

History has shown that the success of a people is measured largely by how they respond to the challenges before them.

I believe the period ahead will be one of those character-defining challenges in which our skills, our temperament and our unity as Bermudians will be tested at many levels.

All of us expect the island's leadership to demonstrate the best kind of behaviour, to articulate the best way forward, speaking always for the larger good.

But I believe the real test of who we are will come down to how each of us as individuals responds to the challenges.

We need to resist the tendency in tough times to narrow one's focus to the point we become indifferent to the welfare of others. We must not lose sight of the fact that we are part of something much larger than our immediate circle and that how we behave as individuals will reveal who we are as Bermudians.

I have a deep faith in all of us as Bermudians and our ability to pull together in tough times. I am confident that in the days ahead we will come together in mutual support, each of us, as our brother's keeper, ready to reach out to those who are struggling, to lend a hand to those who are suffering.

My fellow Bermudians,

It is justly appropriate, therefore, that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of Man; for this is the time, this Christmas season, to remember the miracle of His birth and the meaning of His life, to remember His message of unity and love for each other, for our fellow man.

Jesus said: "Love your neighbour as yourself."

I urge you to embrace the spirit of those five words this Christmas season and to carry them into the New Year, for the teachings of Jesus are pure. They show us the way, in good times and bad.

May God continue to bless Bermuda and our people.

Thank you and Merry Christmas to you all.

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