PRIME MINISTER HON. SITIVENI RABUKA'S 2023 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

HERE COMES THE PRINCE OF PEACE
“For to us a child is born… a son is given…and he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6.
 

Ladies and gentlemen, good evening/good morning.

I am very happy to be speaking to you at this time of rejoicing and goodwill. I wish you joy and peace.

I send loving greetings from my family to yours, and especially to our children.
I offer big thanks to the Sunday School Choir of Waqadra in Nadi for travelling all the way to Suva to sing at home on Tuesday evening. On Sunday the choir from Mount Hermon Chapel in Delainavesi also came home.

My sincere thanks to them too. We have been blessed by these visits.

Christmas is always very special for the youngsters .… lots of excitement and anticipation; decorated trees and twinkling lights, singing Christmas carols, exchanging gifts, feasting, and enjoying visits from family and friends.

This celebration can be likened to a prolonged birthday party combined with church worship and praise, to honour and revere a child at the centre of the greatest story ever told.

It tells of a baby boy born in a stable in the then little town of Bethlehem not far from Jerusalem.

I say ‘then’ because today it is a city of about 30,000 people – normally packed with tourists at this time, but now largely deserted because of the Hamas–Israeli conflict. This started in Gaza and has spilled onto the West Bank of the Jordan and South of Jerusalem where Bethlehem is located.

So please, as you celebrate, pray for children who may still be in Bethlehem.
Pray for them.

Jesus’ mother, the Virgin Mary, had been chosen by God to carry in her womb an infant like no other in history.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, changed life on earth forever.

Until he was 30 Jesus lived and worked at home with his parents in Nazareth. His foster father Joseph was a carpenter.

Then, in three incredible years of public life, he fulfilled in every way all that was foretold and written about Him in the Scriptures.

By his example, his words, parables and miracles, Jesus drew a following that became Christianity, the world’s largest religion.

His teachings are founded on love of God, and of neighbour, concern for the poor, forgiveness, mercy and redemption; and the promise of eternal life.

Christian missionaries brought our indigenous ancestors into the loving embrace of Jesus. This day, more than 2,000 years since that stupendous event in a humble stable, we once more commemorate his birth. We thank God for the gift of His Son, our Saviour.

While we celebrate, we also think of those among us who are less fortunate – the impoverished and homeless, the sick, the lonely, the orphans, and the imprisoned.

We thank from our hearts those caring, generous organisations and volunteers dedicated at this time to helping those in need. You are beacons of the Spirit of Christmas.

To families who were bereaved this year, please know that you too are in our thoughts. May your grief be eased by the light and love of the season.

We think of our diplomats and their families serving Fiji’s interests abroad. Thank you for your efforts.

I send greetings to members of the Fijian diaspora who are always ready to assist their relatives, friends and communities here at home.

I met many of you in my travels this year and know your generosity comes from a love that distance cannot diminish.

To the people of Fiji in our cities, towns and villages, please accept my gratitude for your contribution in 2023 to our country and society.

Those who criticise the Government should be acknowledged too. What they say has its own significance and value. I include the Parliamentary Opposition in this. We applaud their willingness to join hands with us on crucial issues. This helps in the task of unifying the country.

Ladies and gentlemen, another precious gift of Christmas is peace from the Prince of Peace Himself.

More peace is needed in virtually every part of our nation’s life. We need peace of mind and heart; peace that saves us from anxiety, from fear and from violence, particularly violence against women and children.

As we look to the world beyond, we see peace eclipsed by terror and war; in the Middle East, between Russia and Ukraine, and combatants in other countries and continents.

This bleak and volatile picture has moved me to speak out in in our region and internationally, for a culture of peace.

I envisage that message rippling afar from our area of the Pacific, renamed for all time as the Ocean of Peace.

The prime purpose of this new geographical feature would be to leave an imprint on the face of the earth representing co-existence, co-operation and fraternity.

Wars might be raging, along with threats of further armed conflict elsewhere. But the new Ocean, by its very name, and in all its vastness, will be emblematic of the need for more peace… for people, and countries, and for the greater protection of our environment; the land, the sea and sky.

I have spoken of this peace mission to you on occasion, and canvassed the idea among the nations of the Pacific Islands Forum, and to world leaders. It has so far been well received. The Pacific Islands Forum thankfully, has formally welcomed it. But the final decision may take some time.

Here at home, I will be addressing you more often on how we can embed peace into our way of life.

We have a foundation for this in the doctrine of the People’s Alliance Party drawing on the power of love. The doctrine also embraces peace. Love and peace go together.

The truth and reconciliation initiative approved by Parliament in September will also provide pathways to peace.

The peace I see is the Peace offered by Christ, and that espoused by all of Fiji’s religions whose followers join annually in this holiday.

I have reserved a special place in this Christmas message of 2023 for our courageous peacekeepers serving in troubled areas overseas, including the Middle East.

To the military and police personnel, I say on your behalf: Stay well and safe, be of good heart, do your duty with honour and know that the nation’s prayers and love are with you.

Ladies and gentlemen, and children. I wish you all a very happy Christmas.

And I pray that the blessings and peace of the Christ Child will remain with us throughout the coming year.