Just after Christmas last year, while Bermuda was celebrating Boxing Day, a catastrophic tsunami washed across the Indian Ocean, taking the lives of more than 200,000 people. Later in the year, devastating earthquakes struck in Sumatra, Iran and Pakistan.

Closer to home, this year?s hurricane season set a record for the number of named storms. Bermudians watched in disbelief as Katrina and Rita levelled communities in the islands to our south before striking a deadly blow to New Orleans and other towns along the Gulf Coast of the United States.

Amazingly, Bermuda was spared in 2005, and for that, we are grateful. We should also be proud of our response to these natural disasters occurring far from home.

Bermudians opened their hearts to people they would never know but whose spirit in the face of great loss confirmed our common humanity. Bermudians gave generously, providing hope to families around the world that their lives and communities could be rebuilt.

Hope is critical to those left with nothing. Hope makes it possible to put one foot in front of the other and make it through the day. And hope allows each of us to believe in a brighter future.

In this context, it?s easy to understand why the message of Christmas-an eternal message of hope and promise-is so powerful. Hope came to a humble manger one night in ancient Israel, and the words of one of our favourite carols describe that scene beautifully: ?O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie; above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting Light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.?

Here in Bermuda, we express the hope, promise and joy of Christmas in many different ways. We donate to favourite charities, such as the Salvation Army, and schoolchildren create food baskets so others won?t go hungry. We celebrate the birth of Christ at beautiful church services and magnificent concerts. And of course, we gather with family and friends to enjoy public and private holiday traditions that range from the Santa Claus and Boat Parades to turkey and cassava pie at Christmas dinner.

But as we move through this holiday season, we must not forget those here at home who may be closer to despair than hope. Each one of us, mindful of the events of 2005, can make a personal commitment to bring hope and promise to our own community. The needs are great, but so are the hearts of Bermudians.

The Christmas season is always a welcome reminder that what unites us is more powerful that what divides us. It gives us hope that we will face the future with common purpose and the strength that comes from unity.

We can use our individual strengths to make a collective difference, to do a better job for the homeless, for the elderly, for our young people, and to build a more caring and inclusive community. The strength that comes from unity provides us with powerful possibilities and gives us the hope we need to move forward.

On behalf of my colleagues in the United Bermuda Party and my family, I extend best wishes to all for a happy and safe holiday season and a prosperous and healthy New Year.