MY fellow Guyanese, I extend to you wishes for a Merry Christmas and happy cheers for the festive season from the Office of the Prime Minister and from my entire family.

The observance of Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ is embraced as a significant religious event around the world.
Here, in Guyana, as a respect for our multi-religious culture, Christmas is observed as a national holiday. It is also part of the festive season that embraces New Year celebrations.
At Christmas we all wish for the ideals in life – love of humankind, peace and goodwill, and joy to the world.

For some of us, it is when we become children again. We re-live simple pleasures, remembering what had been, when we were swirling in the sweet smell and smiles of our caring parents.
Christmas then and now brings not only sweet nostalgia, but magical moments in an unreal world of twinkling lights and bright hopes. It is the hope for a gift that would bring sparkling smiles on the faces of grateful children. For the elders, our soul is intoxicated with the joy of giving back the kindness and hospitality that we once enjoyed during our childhood.

Today, I send greetings to all Christians everywhere on this auspicious occasion, and to all our Guyanese brothers and sisters living here and visiting from the diaspora. I share with you that special Guyanese feeling of home and family, of hospitality and grace.
Merry Christmas, Guyana!