The following is the 2023 Christmas message of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley:
FELLOW Citizens, I extend Christmas Greetings 2023 to all families from the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, my own family, and myself as Prime Minister.
One of the laudable aspects of life in Trinidad and Tobago is the way we, a people of various faiths, join together with the billions of Christians around the world to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
At Christmas time, our religious and secular differences seem to recede and we transcend and interconnect as brothers and sisters of one species, the human race, if even for a moment.
The Apostle Paul, writing on spiritual growth, tells of God’s glorious and unlimited resources, from which we all could be empowered with an inner strength but advises that first, we must allow Christ to have a home in our hearts.
Looking across the globe, we may see a broken humanity, one that may have gone mad. The “killing fields” of two world wars in the 20th century have now re-appeared, in our lifetime, with the same relentless intensity.
Here at home, the customary harmony of our twin islands is being disrupted by an upsurge in mindless, violent crimes, including all too frequent murders, an indication that, as citizens, we are not observing one of the basic tenets of our national watchwords, that of “Tolerance”, for each other, with all its wider meanings.
Thankfully, in all this, we can still display the best in us. We still show our true character, our kindness, friendship, deep love, true faith, what family life means and our own life’s purpose.
Let us try to build on these values, particularly that of family life, which, I believe, is key to our seemingly intractable social issues.
Look at our country differently. If you search, you will find it is a land of opportunity, providing from pre-natal care for mothers to preschool to vocational and tertiary education for students. With provisions for the employed, under-employed and unemployed, and social care for our elderly.
As citizens, we have much to be thankful for. As a people, we have, and continue to distribute the benefits of our natural resources prudently, spreading it as widely and evenly as possible.
Our land is special, and we also should be celebrating our greatness as a people, and our fortunate space. So let us enjoy ourselves, be compassionate, generous, happy and festive even as we condemn and confront the growing criminal element.
Let us recognise the Holy mystery of Christ, while we celebrate with the cherished customs of the season — the parang, the candles, lights and trees, the presents, and, hopefully, a renewed focus on our family life.
Citizens, great is our country. Let us never forget nor ignore our signposts on this journey, the national watchwords, Discipline, Production and Tolerance. Let the festive lights of Christmas shine brightly on them, so that we may be guided to an even better place this year and all the years ahead.
Merry Christmas 2023 to all citizens and their families.
