Date Posted: December 22, 2008.

As is customary this time of year we pause to recognize the importance of the Christmas season, reflect on the successes and failures of the year gone by, and hope for a better and more prosperous year ahead.

In this vein then, let us recognize, first and foremost, the birth of the Christ child over two thousand years ago, and the world-changing message of the gospel that he brought to earth. December 25th is the day we admit globally that the world changed forever because of Jesus Christ.

It is also the time we recognize that we are responsible for each other as human beings.

This message has been lost in the hearts of men as we have seen greed and selfishness take over the world. Even in Anguilla we have forgotten the gift of giving that pervaded our community during Christmas seasons of old. But I will not dwell on what we have lost as a nation. Instead I will dwell on where we must return as a people.

Firstly, it is my Christmas wish for all Anguillians to emulate the life of Christ in terms of the spirit of giving, sharing and extending goodwill for our fellowmen. In the current global economic climate it is important for us to be conservative in our dealings, but it still is imperative that we share what we have in a Christ-like manner. As little as you may think you have, there are others in our society who have less than we do.

We need to seek out the hungry and the needy to share our blessings with them not only during the Christmas season but throughout the entire year. When our countrymen collectively look out for one another, then God’s blessings will return to us many-fold, and we will be a nation blessed beyond measure.

Secondly, we must again become a thrifty people. Anguillians were once known as people who could save for a rainy day. In the current economic climate it will do us well to be careful how we spend, even during this Christmas season, and ensure that you do not waste our resources mindlessly. Two thousand and eight has been a difficult year for governments and businesses worldwide. We have seen the demise of longstanding businesses and industries. We have witnessed governments’ deficits ballooned. We have seen homeowners the world over lose their dreams.

We have seen retirees’ savings vanished in the blink of an eye, and we have seen currencies devalued. This was all started by the greed of a few men who took advantage of the poor and needy.

It is my firm belief that if the persons who preyed on the misfortunes of others had just a little spirit of Christmas in them the world would be a better place today.

We have not escaped the difficulties of the global financial markets in Anguilla. Our development projects are finding it difficult to access funding as cash flows have been severely restricted. The impact of the global crisis at this time on Anguilla is still not fully known, but it is our hope that travel and recreation visits to Anguilla will return to previous levels in short measure as the United States and other leading nations begin to emerge out of their economic recession. In light of the fact that we depend so heavily on the tourism industry, it is incumbent upon us to wish the more developed nations well as they implement measures to improve their respective economies.

Thirdly, to my mind, the only way Anguilla and other small island-nations will survive in this global economic environment is if Governments and people alike redouble efforts to be self-reliant and innovative. In other words, as a country we must shore up our institutions in light of the fact that we cannot expect much help from larger countries, and develop products and services that no other country has.

If these things are done in concert, it is my belief that, we will weather the economic storm and emerge on the other side relatively safe and secure. Of course all of this must be done under God’s guidance.

And finally, as a people, we must renew a spirit of hope for a better tomorrow. I know many people may have doubts about what the future holds and have misplaced their optimism. If this is where you are let me remind you that the entire reason behind the birth of the Christ child was to provide hope for mankind. In like fashion I am hopeful that as a people we will make 2009 a wonderful year of promise.

Anguillians are a resilient people. We are strengthened by our heritage as mariners, tillers of the soil, and farmers. The intellectual power of our forefathers led us to build schooners that traveled the oceans in the dead of night, and navigated the seas of the Caribbean by star so as to provide a better living for our people.

Resolute Anguillian mothers remained home, and raised children who are today professionals and tradesmen serving Anguilla and many countries around the world. And our students have debated other youngsters in the region and have won more competitions than they have lost.

This is why I am hopeful that our future is bright. This is why I know that as a country we will not fail. This is why I know that as we move forward there will be a spirit of sharing and giving, self-reliance, innovation and enduring hope. In 2009 we will have in us a little Christmas throughout the entire year.


Let me take this opportunity to thank God for brining us safely through 2008. In particular I would like to thank him for sparing us the massive damage that could have occurred throughout the passage of Hurricane Omar. May he continue to protect us from all danger throughout this Christmas season and into the New Year.

On behalf of all my ministerial colleagues and my entire family, I wish all Anguillians and residents of this great country a merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year. May God bless you all, and may God Bless Anguilla.