Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
A Time of Peace and Hope
Dr Godwin Friday, Leader of the Opposition
Christmas Messages
December 22, 2023

A Time of Peace and Hope

by: Dr the Honourable Godwin Friday
Leader of the Opposition

My fellow Vincentians, Friends,
It’s Christmas!
No matter our circumstances, for most of us the coming of Christmas transports us from our everyday lives and lifts our spirits.

It fills us with hope that things will get better. And many of us humble ourselves before God on our knees in appreciation of the precious gift of Christ coming into the world in love and peace to show us how to live with one another and with God.

Too often, in the hustle and bustle of daily life, we forget the power of that example and its eternal, inexhaustible message of hope. But the celebration of Christmas reminds us of it.

Even as we busy ourselves with other things and in other ways during the season, the church services, the carols, the parang soca, the decorations, and symbols that have become essential aspects of the season turn our minds inevitably to reflect on the true message of Christmas. The hope is also that those reflections and the feeling of joy will stay with us well into the new year, and even forever.

Also, this time of year we reconnect with loved ones and friends. We may not have seen them for a long time, for our reality is that many of our loved ones live and work abroad– in Canada, USA ,the UK and elsewhere– and make the trip home around this time because it is so special to us. Many of my relatives and friends have made the journey home this year. I look forward to spending time with them.

Over the Christmas season, there are many opportunities to meet people, share food and drink and spend time not only with family, but with others in our communities. People we may at other times pass on the way with a quick hello or flashing smile, we now hug or hold hands, wish each other well and share in other ways. It is a time when the love and friendship that unite our communities flourish, reminding us that we are one people and all God’s children!

Christmas is a time of giving. So, give generously. Look for nothing in return. And when you receive, always be thankful for it is a blessing.

Christmas is a time to reflect on the past year, asking ourselves what more we could have done and still can do to support each other and build better communities and a country that works for all of us. There are still too many people struggling to put food on the table and pay their bills. Too many people this year have worried about the rising cost of living. Too many people this year have been forced to move abroad for lack of opportunity at home.

Too many people are still poor and getting poorer. And too many people are without jobs or work for low wages that cannot maintain their families and enable them to plan for the future.

I am more determined than ever to change our country for the better. I have met so many people over the past year who yearn for a better life in SVG and have stated their desire for change and their willingness to work together to bring it about.

I am committed to building a strong economy that will increase jobs and pay better salaries.

I am committed to improving healthcare, immediately. Also, with a record number of 52 killings this year, we must urgently tackle crime and make our communities safe again. I am committed to our young people for they need jobs, training opportunities and hope.

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope” (Lamentations 3:21).

I am guided accordingly.

My people, let us pray for peace everywhere, and notably in the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, and for the avoidance of armed conflict between Venezuela and Guyana.

I wish you and your family joy now and hope for the future. Enjoy Christmas!

I am looking forward to attending church with my community in Bequia, spending time with my family and attending gatherings with friends across our blessed land. I hope that in your own way, you can do the same.

God bless you. Peace and love to all.

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Front Page
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    FAMILY MEMBERS of a woman who was killed at Long Wall say they suspect their relative was hacked by a person they all know very well. On Tuesday, Sept...
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Front Page
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE IDEA THAT HOUSING is a right, that every Vincentian has a right to safe and secure housing, and that the government has a role to play in ensuring...
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Front Page
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A POLICE OFFICER, who allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend 26 times about her body was remanded even as his lawyer argued that the Royal St Vincent and...
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Front Page
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A NEW UNITY LABOUR PARTY ADMINISTRATION will be rolling out an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to embrace its positives and guard against the nega...
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Front Page
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 9,2025 was a memorable day for the staff and students of the Sandy Bay Secondary School, which was marking its 20th anniversary wi...
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    News
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    NON- NATIONALS ARE being hired to fill several jobs in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) simply because locals did not have the required skill sets....
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    News
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Montgomery Daniel has sought to clear around rumours that have been circulating relating to his health. Speaking on NBC radio on...
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    News
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    The GOVERNMENT of St Vincent and the Grenadines is set to sign agreements for tourism investment of $1.3 billion on mainland St.Vincent. On Monday, Se...
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    From the Courts, News
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A BARROUALLIE MAN will be sentenced next week after pleading guilty to being in illegal possession of a firearm and eight rounds of ammunition. Demron...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok