GOVERNOR-GENERAL Sir Howard Cooke in his Christmas message has implored Jamaicans to seek additional ways of letting their brothers and sisters know that they care when they hurt and that they desire only the best for them.

"We must always let the love of Christ shine through us to others. We need to be caring, helpful, friendly and thoughtful to those who are feeling neglected, lonely, hungry and helpless. There is a proverb which states ­ 'Shared joy is double joy. Shared sorrow is half a sorrow'. How true! Our God wants us to be personally and deeply involved in each other's life," Sir Howard said.

He said Jesus showed by example, how He wants us to live ­ in fellowship with one another.

Looking at the year that is coming to a close, he said, "This year has been characterised by a determination of our Government to lower the crime rate, stimulate economic growth, improve social services, particularly housing in our inner cities and continue to improve the infrastructure by opening up the country through road networks. Our success at the Olympic Games in Athens gave the country a tremendous boost in morale; while the new crime initiative has helped to lift the spirits of our countrymen and women.

INTERRUPTED OUR ECONOMIC PROGRESS

"Hurricane Ivan has interrupted our economic progress through its devastation of homes and property, particularly in Manchester and St. Elizabeth. Reconstruction is ongoing and the nation has united in its effort to help those whose livelihoods have been most seriously affected."

The Governor-General said that Jamaicans have, throughout this past year, demonstrated to the world that despite their diversity of origins they are united as a people.

He continued: "Christmas is really the most beautiful time of the year as nature and man celebrate the coming of our Saviour. The gardens and houses are resplendent with decorations. Despite the difficulties we have faced this past year, we are drawn by the special power that Christmas heralds in, which fills us with peace, love and hope.

"Let us spread the Christmas cheer. Let us come together as a nation and rejoice in what the birth of the Christ-child has meant to our world.

"From my family to yours - it is our wish that throughout the new year you will have the gladness of Christmas, which is hope; the spirit of Christmas, which is peace and the heart of Christmas which, is love."

P.J. PATTERSON, Prime Minister of Jamaica

MY FELLOW Jamaicans, in keeping with our tradition, we pause at this special time of year from our busy round of activities to celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus. His entire life was devoted to peace, tolerance and love for all humanity.

His message still resounds among us, even more so as nowadays we see a world in turmoil. Jesus' message of the need for love and care of our fellowmen and women remains as pertinent today as it was at the time of His birth.

Christmas is a wonderful time for us in Jamaica as family and friends gather to celebrate. An important part of our celebration is the great pleasure of welcoming home thousands of our fellow Jamaicans who live abroad, who return to enjoy the warmth of our climate, as well as the warmth and love of relatives, friends and extended families.

SPARED

This year, we come together for this season, giving thanks to God for sparing us the worst of the wrath and fury of Hurricane Ivan.

The spirit of national unity has led us to an amazing recovery. We continue to be grateful that together, we have accomplished as much as we have and soon everything will be fully restored. So let us have a wonderful season. For while we must continue as individuals, and as a nation, to cope with the challenges we undoubtedly face, we can take time out to enjoy the festive season. Let us spend quality time with family and friends; let us take pleasure in the laughter of our children and in all our personal relationships. Let us enjoy the wonderful Christmas breeze and the extraordinary beauty of our island at this time of year.

But we must not forget the true meaning of Christmas. By all means, let us have our traditional meals, entertainment events, parties and the exchange of gifts - all these are part of our celebration. But we must also remember that, for many of our citizens, this season may be a painful reminder of the losses of one kind or another that they have suffered during the past year.

I urge you to make an extra effort to reach out to those who may need emotional support at this time. Let us also give to those in need, whether they are our friends, neighbours or strangers, young or old, anyone whose needs touch our hearts.

As a nation, as we put aside our cares for these few days, let us extend our goodwill outside our immediate circle and be especially considerate of each other as we use our roads with courtesy. Let us walk, ride and drive with special care. Let us take sensible precautions regarding our personal security.

We should look out for each other, spreading the peace and goodwill to all men and women that the angels proclaimed on that first Christmas morning.

To those in our essential services, such as our health facilities, in the security forces, in the Fire Brigade and others who at this time make the personal sacrifice to stay on the job during this holiday season, to you we say a heartfelt 'thank you'.

As this year comes to a close, may all Jamaicans - at home and abroad - enjoy a peaceful and happy Christmas. As we pray in our churches here and all over the world, giving thanks for the birth of Jesus, let us seek God's blessings and His guidance as to how best each and every one of us can contribute to the building of a peaceful, equitable and prosperous Jamaica, the land we love.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

EDWARD SEAGA, Leader of the Opposition

MORE AND more Christmas is becoming only a few days of merriment rather than the usual month long preparations and celebrations for the big event. Contraction of the timetable is not due to any cultural change in the pattern of celebration but the availability of money to spend to promote the Christmas spirit through the giving of gifts and enjoyment of festivities.

This year, 'Christmas money', so to speak, is even more scarce due to the cutback in expenditure at most levels resulting from damage caused by Hurricane Ivan. Money in circulation is, therefore, less than would be expected.

But thankfully, Christmas is not only about material things. It is also a time for spiritual reflection and for the renewal of family ties.

Christians celebrate Christmas as a time to rejoice in the birth of Christ. So, concurrent with the merriment are the religious ceremonies in all Christian faiths expressing goodwill towards men. The focus is on helping the poor and needy to have some cheer at this time, by gifts of food and clothing. Many poor people depend on these gifts of charity at Christmas time. We dare not disappoint them, especially the little children. Who can ignore the joy of little children receiving and opening gifts; the deep appreciation of the vulnerable and elderly for the assistance received in gift packages? For those whose happiness is based on making others happy ­ this is their Christmas joy.

DEEP POVERTY

It is little recognised in Jamaica that there is deep poverty at the lower end of the income scale. The 'have-nots' are trapped in a level of poverty which allows for little more than the barest essentials of life. Those who are unfortunately at this level do not live, they barely exist. When it is realised how little is needed to bring some cheer to their lives at this time, we should all resolve to help by opening our hearts and pockets.

Despite the many good things that are happening, so many continue to feel the pinch of economic distress. We are learning in a painful way that not all economic development reaches the bottom levels of the society. Much of it stops at the top or filters only part way down. This is one of the failings of the economic model on which our economic system is structured.

That aside, Christmas is still a time to renew bonds of family relationships so that family ties are strengthened. Jamaicans believe in family life. They know that when all else fails, the family is their backbone of strength. So we welcome these reunions and in particular, those friends and family from overseas who we see only on such occasions.

May all of us celebrate together the love, fellowship and goodwill of Christmas as we look forward to a new year.