开曼群岛总理奥尔登·麦克劳克林2013年圣诞致辞

Christmas Message from Premier Hon Alden McLaughlin

December 24, 2013

Fellow Caymanians, residents and visitors,

We find ourselves once again in the midst of Christmas season, scurrying about looking for that perfect gift, checking our shopping lists to make sure we have the right ingredients for that special Christmas dinner, going to, as well as hosting, parties; in other words, this time of year – for many – can be hectic and stressful.

But I want us to take a moment and slow down. Christmas is about peace, unity, goodwill toward men and for those of us who believe the scriptures, it’s about the Lord Christ Jesus.

While on earth, Christ displayed humility, love, joy, optimism, obedience service and forgiveness. Indeed, the scriptures implore us to be Christ-like. John 15:12 says, “This is My commandment, that you love one another just as I have loved you”.

I implore you this Christmas season to take that passage to heart. Indeed, my one Christmas wish is that we in the Cayman Islands could live year-round with consideration, good will and caring for each other.

But it is at Christmas that most of us are mindful of the needs of our fellow man and the time when we do reach out to them. I know that some people and families are hurting this time of year. Some have faced the loss of loved ones, others have dealt with personal tragedies and frankly, some people are just lonely. If you know of someone who is hurting or in need this Christmas season, who is bereaved or alone, lift them up with an encouraging word, a smile, an unselfish act. Small gifts of food, a little cash, a visit to someone who is shut in; a simple act of kindness can go a long way in helping make someone’s Christmas brighter.

I thank the charities, service clubs, businesses, groups and individuals who ensure each year that those among us who are less fortunate have a Merry Christmas. I would ask you to remember them and give thanks for both the giver and the receiver of God’s blessings.

In the Cayman Islands, Christmas was usually the time when seamen got to come home to spend time with their families and while the tradition of our men plying the seas to earn money for their families back home has died out, the tradition of family hasn’t.

It is my wish that you also set aside some time during the hustle and bustle of the season to be with your family and let them know that they are appreciated and loved, not just at Christmas, but every day of every year.

Despite the challenges we have faced over this past year, we in the Cayman Islands have much to be thankful for. God has spared us another hurricane season, our people are still generous, genteel and kind and our three Islands are indeed the jewel of the Caribbean sea.

Along with your Government, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. May the Lord continue to bless the Cayman Islands through the end of this year and into 2014.

God bless.