Fellow Citizens;
Residents, Visitors;
Friends of Antigua and Barbuda:

It is with great joy that I greet you on this the celebration of the Birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I greet you in peace and love and as a member of the Family of Antigua and Barbuda.

The celebration of the Birth of the Prince of Peace, Jesus, is indeed a time of love, joy and hope for us all.

For many of us, this is a season of good will, cheer and gift giving. At this time, we also give thanks for the wonder that is God's love. We give thanks for the blessings we have received throughout the year. We give thanks for the families that we love and share this special season with.

As we gather and enjoy the happiness that Christmas brings, let us ever be mindful of our obligation as each other's brother and sister, to have compassion for those who are not as fortunate as we are.

In the spirit of Christmas let us all remember to lend a hand to those in our communities who are in need. Let us share our blessings with those who are not as fortune to share the traditional pleasures of Christmas.

Brothers and Sisters:

As a nation of people who accepts the responsibilities that come with being a part of a family, may we remember this Christmas the sick, the poor, the lonely and those who are in the twilight of their lives.

We thank God for them and pray for his continued blessings upon them.

We also thank God for those who care for the sick, aged and the poor especially on Christmas Day.

We thank God for our Nurses, Doctors, emergency workers, and caregivers, who throughout the year provided exemplary care to those in need and who today would have to leave their families to care for others.

My wife Jackie; daughter J'nai, son Juno and my entire family, join me in sending good wishes to our police and fire officers, soldiers, immigration and customs officers and other individuals who are on duty at the V.C. Bird International Airport and at other ports over the holidays.

All of these, together with those staff members of the various divisions of the Antigua Public Utilities Authority and the many hotel workers who are on the job today, deserve our thanks.

The government and people of this great nation of ours commend you for your service and pray for God's blessings on you and your families.

I also thank God for those single mothers and single fathers who are fulfilling their roles and caring for our children. May the joys of Christmas be yours.

This Christmas, it is my prayer that every delinquent father and mother recognize their responsibilities as a parent and commit themselves to being true parents to their children.

Throughout our merry making over this extended holiday period, I urge caution and moderation in all that you do. To the users of our roads, I implore you to be safe and look out for the other person.

Above all, I pray that this Christmas Season and throughout the coming year, we think as kindly of our neighbours and share the hope and love that this special time of the year brings.

Let us all thank God for his love, protection and guidance throughout 2006 and for giving us His Son; who is the Saviour of the World.

Once again, on behalf of my Wife and my entire family, I extend heartfelt and sincerest best wishes to you and your loved ones for a happy, holy and peaceful Christmas.

May God bless all our families and our nation Antigua and Barbuda.