Seasonal Greeting from... The Lieutenant Governor

Tuesday 24 December 2019

News of islanders' charitable spirits are a reason to retain hope amid a "worrying" global picture, the Lieutenant Governor has said.

Ahead of his last Christmas at Government House, Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Dalton took the opportunity to praise islanders who work selflessly for those less fortunate, while looking forward to the 75th anniversary of the Liberation as 2020 dawns...

"At this time of the year, many children and teachers will be looking back on a term at school, college and university and sighing gratefully that the long Autumn term has come to an end.

For many young people, the joy, fun and excitement of taking part in their school nativity or ambitious production of a classic musical or contemporary play will have been a wonderful experience at the end of the term.

Pictured: Jersey stamps capturing the joy of taking part in a nativity, which the Lieutenant Governor reflects on.

Over this Christmas break, many children will reprise some of the wonderful lyrics or famous lines from their production and parents will be rightly proud of their children’s performance.

Children, as most of us appreciate, have that wonderful ability to learn and ‘soak up’ new facts, knowledge, songs and lines of a play almost effortlessly. Turning that knowledge or the learning of those songs or lines into a productive outcome is a very different thing and mastering that challenge is a critical part of our journey through life. 

Whilst the traditions of Christmas have evolved over the years, the central messages of re-birth, of forgiveness and of giving to those less fortunate remain constant. Passing on these messages, these themes, these responsibilities is, of course, part of our critical legacy to our children, but it is also reflective of our desire to live in a better society and to prove our humanity.

Whilst much of the news that we hear on our radios, TVs and online is very worrying, there are stories, not enough, but nevertheless, there are examples of the goodness in people and the selfless willingness of many in our world to give much to people in need.

There is also some very good work being done by many people to try and make our world, physically and spiritually a better place in which to live.

Pictured: "Whilst much of the news that we hear on our radios, TV and online is very worrying, there are stories... of the goodness in people."

Could we do more? Of course we could, and Christmas is closely followed by the avowed intent by many of us to make those famous New Year ‘resolutions’ by which we will live a better, healthier, more wholesome life… at least for a few weeks!

Over the last year, we have seen many changes in the world, in Europe, in the UK and in Jersey. The willingness of Jersey people to do more for those less fortunate and to help evolve our society in a positive way continues to inspire and give real hope that the indomitable human spirit is just that and with encouragement and collective will, we can produce the way to improve our society and to help others to live better lives.

I am constantly amazed at and inspired by the ingenuity and willingness of people to do ‘things’ to try and make a positive difference. We are given a chance in life to learn, to evolve, to help and to produce real practical improvements for others and our society. Here in Jersey, I see this spirit, this intent everyday and it is genuinely humbling to witness the desire of the human spirit to make positive change.

The challenges in turning our part in the ‘termly’ production in to a positive performance remains immense; but, with the collective will and human spirit that is so regularly part of so many people’s lives here in Jersey then there is hope and there is reason to be positive this Christmas and in to the New Year.

Pictured: "The willingness of Jersey people to do more for those less fortunate and to help evolve our society in a positive way continues to inspire."

As we look forward to 2020 and celebrating ‘Liberation 75’, we should be demonstrably positive about the future.

Jersey has come a long way since the dark days of the early 1940s and now the international reputation of the Island is something of which Jersey people can be justifiably proud.

The work of Jersey Overseas Aid is important and shows vividly that Jersey cares about providing much needed help in many parts of the world, from Asia to Africa, where many people have a genuine and physical need of help.

In marking the past 75 years of our freedom, events planned for next year give us the opportunity to showcase Jersey as a modern democratic and successful society of the 21st century.

There is a great deal more that Jersey can and will be doing in the coming years to help others around the world whilst also looking to provide that care and support that is and will continue to be needed by some of our own communities in Jersey.

Pictured: Jersey's Lieutenant Governor believes next year's Liberation 75 will be an opportunity to showcase Jersey as a modern democratic and successful society.

So whilst we should rightly reflect this Christmas time, let us also be positive about what has and what can be achieved in here and elsewhere in the world. 

I wish you all A Very Happy Christmas and trust that your New Year’s resolutions will last a good while in to 2020 and beyond.