Festive thoughts for the Bailiwick of Guernsey

Every Christmas Day millions sit down during the afternoon to hear the Queen's annual message.
Guernsey's highest ranked civil and religious and dignitaries gave us their messages for the Bailiwick for 2010.
Lieutenant Governor Sir Fabian Malbon and Bailiff Sir Geoffrey Rowland gave messages of goodwill to islanders.
The island's Anglican and Catholic deans said islanders should take time to concentrate on the original story and message of Christmas.

Lieutenant Governor, Sir Fabian Malbon

Sir Fabian Malbon took the opportunity to reflect on his five years as Lieutenant Governor in his Christmas message, as his tenure is due to end in April.


He said "the last five years seem to have flown by" as he looked back on walks around Guernsey, meeting school children and "the trials and tribulations of transport to and from the island" amongst other things.
He closed by saying: "We would like to thank the Bailiwick for looking after us so well and making us feel so welcome."

Bailiff of Guernsey, Sir Geoffrey Rowland

The Bailiff began his Christmas Day message by wishing everyone in the Bailiwick "a happy, joyous and fulfilling Christmas Day".


He said "there can be few places where the commitment to community life and community spirit is so strong" and therefore we should think of those who work on Christmas Day to keep essential services running and "remember those who are less fortunate in our community".
He added that everyone should try and enjoy the "gem of sea" where we live.

Anglican Dean of Guernsey, Canon Paul Mellor

Canon Mellor said: "Despite the passage of time since the very first Christmas Day, the wonder and mystery of Christmas never fades."


He added: "This is a message of constant and enduring significance and importance for the whole human race."
Canon Mellor explained that because of Christmas: "We never journey through life on our own - never alone wither in dark or bright times because God is always 'Emmanuel - God with us'."

Catholic Dean of Guernsey, Father Michael Hore
Father Michael took the chance of his Christmas message to stress the celebration is about "the mystery of life itself".


He said: "There is a great danger that we celebrate Christmas for all the wrong reasons - for partying and booze - but it centres around a child being born."
He added that it teaches that "everyone has a god-given right to life" and that the story of Jesus and Christmas should be a "great lesson in humility". (from BBC)