Hon. Cyprian Lansiquot

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE BY THE HON CYPRIAN LANSIQUOT, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS, WORKS, TRANSPORT AND PUBLIC UTILITIES; AND REPRESENTATIVE FOR ANSE-LA-RAYE/CANARIES

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom He is pleased!” This was among the songs of praise heard over two thousand years ago and which today is still being heard at this time.

Once again my people of St. Lucia and more specifically my people of Belle Ve Dere, Canaries, Anse La Verde, Anse La Raye, Roseau, Jacmel, Bois Den, Morne Sisseau, Vanard, Duradeau I bring you greetings in this festive season of Christmas, I wish for you all ‘peace’ - a peace which can only be attained by the One whom at this time we celebrate his birth - Jesus Christ. Let that peace begin from within your heart, in your family, and then to your community and the wider St. Lucia.

My people, we are living in a time where all that matters are the material things of this world - but is that all we are here for? Let us reflect especially at this time on our lives, our families, our neighbours, the less fortunate ones, our country. Who are we - where are we going - what have we achieved in this year - what are our goals, to name a few. Let us my people recognise the true meaning of Christmas, the reason for Christmas and begin to celebrate its true meaning. Over two thousand years ago, a baby boy was born in a town in Nazareth called Bethlehem - this child named Jesus was born to save the world and bring peace to men of goodwill. This he fulfilled 33 years after his birth.

My fellow St. Lucians many of us have forgotten this event, many of us have forgotten the Christ child - many of us celebrate the season with the usual partying, the bright lights, the shopping, the cleaning, the drinking and eating - but this is not all. It is time my people to bring this Christ child back into our lives, into our homes, into our communities and into our nation. Let us with a Christ-like nature especially at this time and always, remember the poor, the needy and the destitute - let us share with our neighbours not only our food and drinks but the good news of Jesus. Let us be a people of God, a loving, a kind, a humble people, a people who respect each other no matter what political affiliation, a people of unity, a people of peace. What a better time to begin to practice love of one another. It is with these thoughts that I address you because my people I believe the answer to all our problems is to turn to that Christ child and claim Him as the real King of this world. He will never forsake us nor abandon us. (I do not mean to be a preacher) but in my heart, I want for a peaceful St. Lucia, a loving people and a unified people.

We have just ended a peaceful election and we really want to give all the praises of that peace to Our Almighty. Let me thank all St. Lucians for voting back in power the Saint Lucia Labour Party. Especially I want to say heartfelt thanks to the people of my constituency for once again placing confidence in me and re-electing me as their representative. I am also thankful to those on the opposition for their valuable and constructive criticisms. I am also grateful to the general public for maintaining such a high level of tolerance and respect to each other’s views and opinions throughout the campaign period, the best ever experienced throughout the political history of this country.

Now that the elections are over, I appeal for everyone to reunite once again for the peace and prosperity of our beloved nation, our fair Helen of the West Indies. I am not promising you that I will make all your dreams come true in the New Year, but let me tell you that I will work hand in hand with you this term to bring about a better Anse-la-Raye and Canaries.

For the past four and half (4 ½) years your have seen tangible evidence of social and economic progress throughout the length and width of the constituency. In this coming year and beyond, I am determined with your collective efforts, understanding and cooperation to work with even greater zeal and enthusiasm to ensure a better quality of life for our children, our children’s children and ourselves. Let me take this opportunity to wish you and your families a Blessed and peaceful Christmas and a New Year filled with great expectations.

I also want to wish our Prime Minister, all the ministers, parliamentarians and their families a Blessed and peaceful Christmas. Not forgetting the staff at the Ministry of Communications, I wish them the very best for Christmas and to all other persons who supported me during the year - May the Lord continue to bless them and their families.

A very Merry Christmas to all St. Lucians, both here and abroad.

December 19, 2001

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