HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Today, Christmas Day 2003 we commemorate the birth of Christ who, scripture tells us, came into this world not as a  king but as a humble carpenter’s son. There is a message here for all of us particularly today when our quest for wealth and material things, tends to blind us to the real value of life. His message was one of Peace and Goodwill to all men - a greeting so many of us have forgotten in a world that seems to be tearing itself apart.

But we must remember the message as we come together today, families and friends and try to forget or gently nudge aside all the terrible things that have happened in our world this year. Families in particular can enjoy the spirit of Christmas showing love and caring not only to our nearest and dearest but to all mankind. It is not easy to forget the levels of kidnappings, gangland and other slayings as well as road deaths, and events such as the dreadful United States led invasion of Iraq and the horrific suffering and deprivation in so many countries. Indeed we should not forget but try to look within our hearts to discover again the meaning of the message of peace that underlines our Christmas. In this multi religious society it is good to see everyone participating in Christmas in much the same way we all participate in Eid and Divali. From these three celebrations we draw on the message of peace and goodness which we pray will truly affect our national life.

Today we pray that Christ will continue to be with us, to show us the way out of the terrible events that threaten us on all sides. We pray that all who suffer sorrow and grief due to wars, deprivation, poverty, discrimination may find solace and enlightenment in their lives. That we may stop thinking only of ourselves and of the acquisition of material things but may turn our eyes to the needs of the many in our midst for whom this Christmas is not a time of joy but one of sorrow, caused by the loss of loved ones in road accidents or due to crime. We remember too the needy and bed-ridden and our service providers such as nurses, policemen, firemen, whose duty keeps them away from their families on this precious day. It is right that the centre of our attention today should be the children of our nation for it was as a child that Christ came among us and remained subject to his parents until offering himself for mankind in the supreme sacrifice of his life. We wish everyone a very happy Christmas.