Let us not be preoccupied with worldly matters

from: Her Excellency Dame Susan D Dougan GCMG, OBE
Governor General of St Vincent and the Grenadines

Fellow Vincentians, Christmas is a time of spiritual reflection on the important foundation of the Christian faith. Christmas is a celebration of God’s immeasurable love for mankind by giving His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. We, therefore, celebrate the birth of redemption of humankind.

This year, as we gather with family and friends in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, this is a time to pause, reflect and acknowledge with gratitude God’s greatest gift to us on that first Christmas day and may the wonder of it always light and guide our path.

We also must identify what is distinctive of the Christian faith: grace, love, hope, joy, peace, service and justice. As Christians if we can be guided by these values on a daily basis, could you imagine what a wonderful world this could be? The reality of the situation is that in the hustle and bustle of daily living, many of us are too preoccupied with worldly matters to remain mindful of all these Christian values by which the Christian faith is identified.

It is not to say that in our daily lives, some of these values are not practiced. In fact, I am sure that many of us practise some elements of these values subconsciously without being mindful of doing so, but there will be a real difference if we make a conscious effort to practise these values when the need arises.

This past year, 2023 saw Vincentians getting a breathing space from the catastrophic events that disrupted our lives from the year 2019. It was, indeed a rough period for all of us. COVID has not completely left us but let us continue to be careful and thankful to Almighty God to have brought us through that rough period.

It behoves all of us to reflect on that rough period, 2019-2022, in our country’s existence and consider the futility of fighting among ourselves which is counter-productive and robs us of the strength in numbers that would be available to move the country forward.

As I have stated previously, in one of my messages to the nation, there will always be differences whenever people live together, but having differences does not preclude the possibility to co-exist in some form of unity. Let us use the Season of Christmas to close the chasm between us – whether it be political, religious or ideological – and bring to the fore our love of fellowmen and country and come together to move our country forward.

One cannot talk about country and unity to move it forward without addressing the scourge of crime plaguing us. Each one of us has to play a part in fighting crime. We have a duty to talk to those around us who exhibit anti-social behaviour and a profound lack of anger management. If every family considers it their duty to root out that bad behaviour that exists within their fold and not condone such behaviour then the society as a whole will benefit and be rid of such behaviour.

Fellow Vincentians, let this Christmas be one that makes a difference. Let us make definitive decisions to work for the betterment of St. Vincent and the Grenadines by building on the good that already exist. Let us all be guardians of our blessed land.

My family and I wish every Vincentian a happy, joyous and peaceful Christmas and may the year ahead be full of contentment and bring warmth, new opportunities, happiness and prosperity.