In our beautifully diverse world I take joy in wishing everyone a Happy Holidays. To be in tuned with my Christian beliefs I am inclined to wish all those who believe that Jesus is the reason for the season, a Merry Christmas; for the birth of Christ is truly the greatest love story ever told. Tradition though weighs heavy on my heart at this time of year and so, as a proud Virgin Islander, I greet you in the way we know to great each other at this special season, by simply saying Seasons’ Greetings to you and yours and special glad tidings to my people of Sixth District.

I bring you warm Christmas greetings on behalf of my husband Emmet, my children Doneisha and Donny, my grandchildren and I. We are in the season of celebration and it’s important for us not to forget the real reason behind this celebration; it's the birth of Jesus Christ, a birth so glorious that an entire constellation was summoned in the sky to point shepherds and three wise men to find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes.

So seemingly simple did he come, but the future of the world was on the shoulders of this child. This inspirational story reminds each of us that regardless of the circumstances of our birth, regardless of the current situation that surrounds us two things are always possible: the first, that we are each born for a reason and that an entire people are depending on you to fulfill your purpose and the second, that there are people searching for you to honour the goodness within you; take some time to search for the goodness in yourself and then share it with others.

It is also imperative that during this holiday season, that we show love and kindness to all mankind, for we are truly one family across these Virgin Islands.

From the bottom of my heart, I am always eternally grateful to the people of the 6^th District and through this Christmas period and beyond, I continue to be your servant and work on your behalf.

To each person, local, visitor, friend and family, young and old, to kids from one to 92, although its been said many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you from Alvera Maduro-Caines, Representative for the Sixth District.