As you know, this is the time of year that politicians release their Christmas message.

When I sat down to write my message this year, I got to thinking about the joy that Christmas brought me when I was a child.

I remember the anticipation of Christmas Day, the presents under the tree, the smell of my mom’s baking before the big day and the sights, sounds, smells and chaos of Christmas Day in the house.

To this day, I am brought right back to my childhood by the smell of a Christmas tree.

Normally, I would spend a few minutes talking about the year in review and what you can expect from me and the One Bermuda Alliance in the coming year.

Not this time. Quite simply, too many of our fellow Bermudians are struggling and many of us simply won’t get to celebrate the same kind of Christmas that I did as a child.

So here is my Christmas message for this year — give.

If you can afford it, please give. You can make all the difference in the world to a child or a family by making a donation.

What you see as a small contribution could change Christmas from bleak to joyful for someone.

Give to The Salvation Army, contact Regina Peniston and donate to the Court Street Boxing Day Dinner, contact Gina Spence-Virgil, of the Gina Spence Programme, and donate $25 to help a member of your community who is struggling this Christmas, and if you can, donate $50 or $100.

Buy toys for the Toys for Tots programme and bring a smile of joy to a child who might otherwise not receive a Christmas gift this year.

Go to Family Centre’s website and make a donation to the holiday wish list.

Family Centre helps so many people. Let’s help them make this Christmas a little bit better, and don’t forget the collection boxes for groceries at supermarkets.

Really, folks, that’s all you need to hear from me in this Christmas message.

If you can, please give. Love your neighbour, be kind to one another, please give as much as you are able and have a wonderful, joyful, merry Christmas.

• Jarion Richardson is the Leader of the Opposition