THOROLD MASEFIELD Governor What a lot of change a year can bring, and what a lot of excitement. And yet I am equally struck by the things that remain constant, fundamental and true.

Certainly this past year saw dramatic change -- with the General Election came a new Premier, a new Government and an entirely new Cabinet. We have a new Leader of the Opposition and two distinguished holders of public office, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Assembly decided the time had come for them to retire. We have welcomed distinguished people in their place. We also have a new Deputy Governor and there have been new appointments at the top of the Bermuda Police Service.

And yet many things remain constant, the election and the dramatic change ensured that the international media gave Bermuda space in the international headlines. What they commented on was the economic, political and social maturity of the Island and its people.

Equally in the field of sport Bermudians have continued to capture international headlines. Our competitor in the Winter Olympics for the luge competition caught the public attention. Our bowlers went to the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur and came away with a well-deserved silver medal. Our rugby team had a particularly good year and there are young soccer players clearly about to emerge as a force for the future. Bermuda, too, can be proud that the top woman sailor in the world is a Bermudian.

Arts, too, continue to thrive with drama, dance and music especi ally strong.

Governor Thorold Masefield The Band of the Bermuda Regiment continues to give pleasure to visitors and islanders alike and there were much acclaimed productions of Les Miserables and play called "Remembrance'' by the Nobel Prize winner Derek Walcott.

Churches and charities, too, remain strong in Bermuda's life. Two AME Churches, Allen Temple and Bethel celebrated significant anniversaries during the past year. And the out-pouring of gifts in response to the St. John Ambulance's appeal for the victims of Hurricane Mitch in Central America showed the compassion of Bermuda's people towards others less fortunate.

There have been sad moments too during the past year with the passing of much loved and distinguished Bermudians who had given much to the Island community.

I think, too, with the tragic loss of life on the roads, particularly the loss of young lives. I do hope that in the coming year, we can do something to put an end to this tragic toll.

This year, our Christmas Messages comes from The Cottage at Dockyard where my wife and I have been living for a few months while Government House is rewired. We have much enjoyed being "up the country'' and we also enjoyed our first Cup Match in the Somerset ground. Another first for me was to go to Jamaica with the Regiment where I found myself absailing down a cliff into a river. The past year, too, saw our first Peppercorn Ceremony in St. George's which we much enjoyed, as we also enjoyed our first Agricultural Show which brings Bermudians out in large numbers for a happy occasion.

And that is a note on which I should like to conclude this message -- many people have commented on the post election mood and the broad smiles. As my wife and I wish you all a very Happy Christmas, it is our hope that Bermudians will find satisfaction and joy in each others company as they work and play alongside each other and as they follow the new leaders and the new policies.

It is my hope that they will also recall those Bermudian virtues of tolerance and compassion. A very Happy Christmas to you all and all success in the coming year.

The Band of the Bermuda Regiment continues to give pleasure to visitors and islanders alike and there were much acclaimed productions of Les Miserables and play called "Remembrance'' by the Nobel Prize winner Derek Walcott.

Churches and charities, too, remain strong in Bermuda's life. Two AME Churches, Allen Temple and Bethel celebrated significant anniversaries during the past year. And the out-pouring of gifts in response to the St. John Ambulance's appeal for the victims of Hurricane Mitch in Central America showed the compassion of Bermuda's people towards others less fortunate.

There have been sad moments too during the past year with the passing of much loved and distinguished Bermudians who had given much to the Island community.

I think, too, with the tragic loss of life on the roads, particularly the loss of young lives. I do hope that in the coming year, we can do something to put an end to this tragic toll.

This year, our Christmas Messages comes from The Cottage at Dockyard where my wife and I have been living for a few months while Government House is rewired. We have much enjoyed being "up the country'' and we also enjoyed our first Cup Match in the Somerset ground. Another first for me was to go to Jamaica with the Regiment where I found myself absailing down a cliff into a river. The past year, too, saw our first Peppercorn Ceremony in St. George's which we much enjoyed, as we also enjoyed our first Agricultural Show which brings Bermudians out in large numbers for a happy occasion.

And that is a note on which I should like to conclude this message -- many people have commented on the post election mood and the broad smiles. As my wife and I wish you all a very Happy Christmas, it is our hope that Bermudians will find satisfaction and joy in each others company as they work and play alongside each other and as they follow the new leaders and the new policies.

It is my hope that they will also recall those Bermudian virtues of tolerance and compassion. A very Happy Christmas to you all and all success in the coming year.

JENNIFER SMITH Premier It is with a deep sense of pride, privilege and gratitude on this Christmas Day that I extend to you the season's greetings for the first time as Premier.

Today, of course, is a special time when families and friends come together for wonderful moments of happiness, sharing and giving thanks. This year's festive season is even more special for me and, I hope, for you, as we build a New Bermuda together.

Thank you for the confidence you have placed in me as Premier. I am proud that the people of Bermuda have shown a determination to realise the Christmas promise of love, hope, peace and goodwill and I am comforted that we have been able to accept the first-ever change in Government with dignity, continuity, and a sense of fair play.

This is itself signals Bermuda's coming of age as a democratic society. The 9th of November victory was a historic achievement and I pray that the spirit exhibited in the days that followed will prevail as we enter a new Year with a New Bermuda.

The birth of the Christ Child on that first Christmas almost 2000 years ago heralded A New Beginning that changed the course of history forever. This season we too have an opportunity to herald A New Beginning by ensuring a Bermuda that reflects the true example of the meaning of Christmas. A Bermuda which values the talents of our young people, the wisdom of our seniors and the efforts of our work force. A Bermuda which is an Island of equality, safety, peace, prosperity and justice for all.

For most of us, this day is a happy occasion.

Premier Jennifer Smith There are others, however, whose holiday will be spent without the support of family and friends, who are experiencing ill health or who are without the comforts of material blessings that we so often take for granted. We must not forget those individuals, nor must we forget those who have lost loved ones during the past year.

This is a time to demonstrate the true meaning of this day. Let us remember those who served Bermuda, even on holidays, through giving their time and effort to help others in need. I ask each of you, if you decorate your homes, to place at least one ornament as a symbol of your commitment towards making Bermuda a better place.

It seems to me that this Christmas season, our shops are busier, our homes and Christmas trees more beautiful and the love and happiness in the community more abundant than ever before. I attribute this positive atmosphere to your faith and trust that working together we can make Bermuda a shinning star for all countries to follow.

As we usher in a New Year, A New Beginning, I challenge you to show respect to one another, to share with each other, to work more productively, to play more fairly, and to love more earnestly.

Whether your celebration focuses on Christmas, Ramadan, Hanukkah, Kwanza or some other tradition, I hope that in reflecting on the true spirit of your celebration, you determine to keep it alive in your hearts throughout the coming year.

On behalf of my colleagues in Government, my mother and my family, I wish each of you a season of love, joy, peace and goodwill that heralds a wonderful New Beginning.

There are others, however, whose holiday will be spent without the support of family and friends, who are experiencing ill health or who are without the comforts of material blessings that we so often take for granted. We must not forget those individuals, nor must we forget those who have lost loved ones during the past year.

This is a time to demonstrate the true meaning of this day. Let us remember those who served Bermuda, even on holidays, through giving their time and effort to help others in need. I ask each of you, if you decorate your homes, to place at least one ornament as a symbol of your commitment towards making Bermuda a better place.

It seems to me that this Christmas season, our shops are busier, our homes and Christmas trees more beautiful and the love and happiness in the community more abundant than ever before. I attribute this positive atmosphere to your faith and trust that working together we can make Bermuda a shinning star for all countries to follow.

As we usher in a New Year, A New Beginning, I challenge you to show respect to one another, to share with each other, to work more productively, to play more fairly, and to love more earnestly.

Whether your celebration focuses on Christmas, Ramadan, Hanukkah, Kwanza or some other tradition, I hope that in reflecting on the true spirit of your celebration, you determine to keep it alive in your hearts throughout the coming year.

On behalf of my colleagues in Government, my mother and my family, I wish each of you a season of love, joy, peace and goodwill that heralds a wonderful New Beginning.

PAMELA GORDON Opposition Leader The joy of Christmas is for all to share. It is a gift -- a priceless gift from our Heavenly Father. A gift we are meant to share with one another, today and throughout the coming year. Around the globe, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, families young and old, rich and poor, gather to celebrate the Spirit of the holiday season. Excited children rush to open pretty packages, as parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles watch with smiling eyes.

Many people celebrate in their own special way. Some people celebrate Christmas, and others Hanukkah. Some people celebrate Kwanza, while others celebrate Ramadan. I celebrate the fact that in Bermuda we embrace all of these traditions with respect and with a loving spirit. Sadly, and ironically, in Jerusalem, there is bitter fighting and strife. In Bermuda, we have grown accustomed to the blessings of peace and goodwill. And I pray that the day will soon come when the rest of the world can share in that blessing.

As I reflect on our many blessings, the joyful spirit that shines daily in so many Bermudians warms my heart. The nurses, physicians, pink ladies and candystripers who give tirelessly to provide tender care to our sick and injured. The teachers who patiently make extra time for our children so that they may grow strong in their hearts as well as in their minds. The religious leaders who have no "quitting time'' when someone troubled needs comfort and guidance. The joyful spirit of the holidays shines in them.

And in the young people who visit and bring such happiness and delight to our elderly citizens in retirement homes.

Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon The ambulance teams of St. John's, the Fire and Police services, the airport and communications workers who sacrifice weekends and holidays to so greatly benefit the rest of us all year long. The joyful spirit of the holidays shines in them.

The selfless and caring young men and women active in the vital Big Brother and Big Sister programmes. The volunteers who serve in the Red Cross, drug counsellors, the Guides and Scouts, the Cadets and Sea Cadets. The volunteer tutors who encourage and support students who seek to improve themselves. The joyful spirit of the holidays shines in them.

The taxi drivers and hotel workers whose dignified courtesy and friendly charm earns respect and admiration from countless visitors to our Island. The joyful spirit of the holidays shines in them.

The business leaders who give so generously of their time and financial support to countless charities and projects to enrich all of Bermuda. The joyful spirit of the holidays shines in them.

From these many, many people, and the spirit that they share, comes our community's true strength. It is the strength that unifies us. It is the strength upon which we can and must build.

For today, not everyone is filled with the spirit of celebration. Violence, discrimination, and economic hardship continue to afflict some of our brothers and sisters. Peace and goodwill is not yet shared by all.

As a united community, as neighbours and friends, we must rededicate ourselves to enabling all of the people of Bermuda to share in these joyful blessings.

The answers to many of our prayers and dreams are within our reach.

We could reduce the number of traffic fatalities if we simply commit to driving more responsibly. We could eliminate discrimination if we simply commit to accepting one another. We could end the violence if we want to do so. These are gifts that we can give to ourselves in the year ahead. And we should.

Let us celebrate the true meaning of Christmas by sharing the joyful spirit of the holidays with our friends and our families.

I am especially thankful to be celebrating with my family, and am deeply grateful for the loving support they give me daily. From my earliest childhood memory of Christmas, to the celebration we share today, my Mother and my children are living reminders that the gift of family is the greatest gift of all.

My family and I join the Parliamentarians, Members and Officers of the United Bermuda Party in wishing that the joyful spirit of Christmas will be a blessing to you, and to your loved ones, throughout the year to come.

Governor Masefield