Christmas is a time for celebration and for giving thanks for the good things with which we've been blessed during the year. I wish everyone in Seychelles a joyous Christmas with the hope that all will be able to share in celebration with the ones they love. Christmas is a time for family, and my wish is that everyone will be with their families to share gifts, wishes and a special meal. My special wishes to children and older people who need to have their families around them for this time.
Even if we have not been able to give or receive gifts bought from a shop, we can be grateful for life, health, freedom and peace, so many things which are easy to take for granted but which, as we know, many people in the world do not enjoy. As we celebrate, let us be determined to join together in making Seychelles a country where we can always enjoy these things. It is up to us, people of Seychelles, to make our country one which we can be proud of and in which we can be happy to live. We will achieve this only if we believe in working not only for ourselves but for the good of our country.
At the same time, I ask everyone to join with me in expressing solidarity and compassion with those who have faced a difficult year and whose celebrations may be shadowed by problems. These may be people who are destitute, who have difficulty making ends meet, who have to cope with ill-health or with personal and social problems. Many people may not see much reason to celebrate. I pay tribute to the generosity of many of you who have heeded the call of Christ to help neighbours in need. Let us continue to remember them as we join together in prayer on Christmas Day.
Christmas will also be a time of reflection for us, on the year that is gone by. We can take the opportunity to reflect on what we have achieved and where we may have fallen short of our goals or expectations. We remain thankful for what we have been able to do, in our occupations, in our relationships or in the service of our community and country while we renew our determination to continue working for the goals we have set ourselves. I express special wishes to those who will be working on Christmas Day, especially those in the police, security forces, health, emergency and essential services.
A joyous, peaceful and blessed Christmas to all.
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