The festive season has traditionally been a time of mirth, a time of merriment, a time to recognise the birth of the Saviour and pay him tribute; a time to record our thanks to Him for the many things he has bestowed on us.

Our beautiful country, our friendly people, our abundance of love and harmony, our culture of giving and helping and the many things we take for granted about ourselves.

Christmas is more than the exchanging of gifts and the utterances of good will to others. We must reflect the true meaning of Christmas in our conduct; to do otherwise is to celebrate Christmas without Christ.

I therefore pledge my commitment and that of the National Democratic Congress, to continue to aspire to create a gentler, humane and prosperous Grenada.

I am prepared myself to seek in the upcoming New Year to mend fences and build bridges affected by recent political events. I expect that others will play their part in this task of reconciliation and restoration, because I know, that when all is said and done all of us share the dream of a society in which:-

* Our education system is more modernized, our human resources more developed,

* Our youth more productive and prepared for life

* Our health system more improved and efficient

* Our agriculture put back on good footing

For it is only then that we will be able to deal with the challenges of this era of the primary knowledge, the scarcity of aid and the quick pace of globalisation.

Christmas is a time to reflect on our lives and to discern whether we have been living in accordance with the virtues and standards that are associated with Christ, from whom Christmas was derived.

One of the virtues central to the teachings of Christ is Truth. He never compromised with truth, because, as He said, He came to bear witness to the truth. Are we a people of truth? Or are we a people of compromise?

When one looks at what is happening in our communities today, particularly with some of our Leaders and our institutions, one comes to the conclusion that we are a people of compromise.

We have compromised our values. We have compromised our institutions and today we see a society that is deteriorating because we have refused to stand up and defend what is right.

It is somewhat ironic that we make all this fuss about Christmas and at the same time we are showing a disregard for the essential virtues from which Christ never deviated.

Once again, I want to thank all of our friends for the support which you so freely gave, the advice extended to us and the comfort in moments of anxiety and hurt, and prayers offered for us from time to time. There can be no better gift than the gift of prayer.

My simple message for this season is the need for a change in negative attitudes that have slowly seeped into our society. There is a need for us to think and act in a manner to bring us forward, and not knock us down.

There is a need to think of the important elements required for our development as a nation - like productivity in the work place, the proper placement of the teachings of Christ in our lives, the development of the important social areas in our society, the nurturing and development of investment opportunities in a world that is becoming more hostile to small island states such as ours, and most importantly working as a team in getting things accomplished.

In all of this, our focus for the Season should be with Christ our Lord who was born in a manger during this wonderful period. His coming changed us all and we must contemplate his messages throughout the year 2006.

The most important of these messages for the New Year is the respect we must show to others. I remember the sermon that preaches that the worst of men are not those who do not respect God but those who do not respect God or Man.

As challenging as the future may be, we are confident in our ability, acting as one people to overcome these challenges.

We must do all possible to encourage the continued support of our many friends in the international arena - friends who share our vision of community; of peaceful coexistence with each other, of equity among nations large and small, developed, and developing.

This is a tense period in the world. The expressions of peace and goodwill which are normally shared at this time of the year may be clashing with the sound of war and violence in many parts of the world. But it is my fervent hope that this Christmas will be a holy and happy one for you and your loved ones, wherever they may be.

I am grateful for this opportunity to convey - on behalf of the National Democratic Congress, sincere gratitude to our many friendly Governments and agencies, who have come to our assistance in so many ways, and at some many critical times.

I also commend all Grenadians who made the sacrifices, who toiled in their communities, whether it was on their homes, their neighbour's or the schools, to try their utmost to return the country to its former pre-Ivan state and in many instances better than before.

As we celebrate let us remember to share with our neighbours, particularly those who are less fortunate than us. As custodians of material goods we should not be selfish, and should be happy to share whatever we are blessed with, with others.

As we continue to rebuild our Nation, let is build on solid foundation remembering that a solid foundation is more than concrete and steel. We must build on the virtues extolled by Jesus. For there is no building back better without those virtues.

I conclude by wishing everyone, especially the residents of St. Patrick's East, a holy and joyous Christmas and a happy, healthy and productive New Year.