Christmas Message 2009 from Anguilla's Chief Minister

(Hon. Osbourne B. Fleming) -  Fellow Anguillians at home and abroad, residents and visitors, it is with a sense of joy that I address you on this Christmas day.

The true meaning of Christmas is about possibility in the midst of the impossible. It is not the kind of possibility that comes from a confidence in our own skills, knowledge, abilities, or a positive mental attitude.

It is the possibility that comes solely from the fact that God came into our own human existence to reveal himself and call us to himself. It is this possibility, this God, that we celebrate at Christmas. And we do so with a confidence born, not of our own desire for it to be so, but from the birth of a child over 2,000 years ago, a child who was the Son of God! The Gospel according to St. Luke, Chapter 1 and Verse 14 reminds us “And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.”

We must take pause as a Government and people to recognize God’s guidance and protection over the past year. He has protected us from the ravages of hurricanes and other disasters. We must be grateful and  thankful in the good times and the bad times. We must give praise where praise is due and must not forget those who have been good to us
Anguilla like our neighbouring islands and further afield continues to experience the effects of the global economic crisis.

Our economy and our way of life as a people have been affected, but in the midst of all of this it reminds us that Anguillians are  still a thrifty and resilient people, able to weather any storm. We must continue our efforts to be self-reliant and innovative in these times and look to the future with confidence. This challenging period should allow us to stop and reflect on the way we conduct our lives and our business and provide us with the opportunity to reform or make the necessary changes.


This is my final Christmas message as Chief Minister of Anguilla and an Elected Member in the House of Assembly. It would be remiss of me not to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to the people of Anguilla in particular the people of District 2 - for the confidence which they have bestowed upon me for the past 29 years. I am confident that I am leaving a good foundation behind and Anguilla will continue to progress and prosper.

2010 promises to be another challenging year. We are now in the heart of an election campaign with elections slated for sometime in February  next year. I hope that the campaign will continue to be peaceful and that on election day persons will exercise their constitutional right to vote.

On behalf of my ministerial colleagues and on behalf of Mrs. Fleming and myself, I extend to all Anguillians, residents, visitors and neighbours a most joyous and Christ filled Christmas season and a bright, healthy and prosperous New Year. May God bless you all and may God continue to bless Anguilla.