"The birth of Christ provided the world with the clear message that God was and is involved in our lives at every level. Through the birth of His only son the eternal God became and remains the ultimate reality of our experience. For those who believe that reality must influence our attitudes and actions not just at Christmas but throughout our lives.

"While there is much to cause our society concern this Christmas there is also much to be thankful for.

"The world that once received the Babe of Bethlehem faces the possibility of war when no so-called assurances can avoid the fact that many innocents will suffer. The place of Christ's birth itself is torn apart with turmoil. International terrorism breeds fear across the nations. Hunger and hopelessness stalk much of Africa and India. Their plight continues to condemn the efforts of Governments to relieve such suffering. So much more needs to be done at this international level.

"Here at home we recognise that while much has been attempted to heal the wounds of society and that many have built their own bridges across the barriers of a divided community the political process requires a new impetus of hope. For many people there is a sense of disenchantment with what they see and hear of that process. There is a growing feeling that the process is becoming removed from their actual experience of life. This is a dangerous trend for the whole of society. Impatience with what is perceived to be a process removed from their experience as ordinary life goes on for them leads to disillusionment. The need for the political process to give hope to ordinary people is urgent.

"This Province needs a new vision of hope and we look to the political process to be a part, but only a part, of that vision.The real vision of hope stems from the birth of Christ - and how it influences ordinary everyday life for people of all traditions. Hope is the message of Christmas. Let us pray that in 2003 every department of our lives will see a new hope for the future of this community…"