For love, humility, and service in 2021
NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE
December 27, 2020
Hon. Asot A Michael
Parliamentary Representative — St Peters
My Dear constituents of St Peters… My Beloved Antiguans and Barbudans
at home and abroad,
Season’s Greetings with very best wishes for a happy, healthy, productive
and prosperous New Year.
During the Christmas Holiday season, as another year crosses over into
the next, we give thanks and praise for the blessings of caring and sharing,
the joys of growth and the challenges of our existence that drive us to
succeed.
We rejoice in rekindling our hope in the victory of good over evil, the
triumph of light over darkness, and the conquest of wickedness in high and
low places, by the forces of love, peace, and togetherness.
As we face the New Year with confidence, the Christmas lesson of peace
and goodwill and the remarkable life and work of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ, guide us to humility, service, self-sacrifice, and true love, through
which we will live for each other and succeed.
Indeed, as I am sure we recognized again this year, living for others is a
rule of nature that we, as Christians of faith, are required to observe every
hour, every day. And even though we may be rich beyond measure, we are
called to be in solidarity with the poor, the weak, the sick, and all the
marginalized people around us
These are the simple but powerful lessons, that we, the sons and
daughters of Antiguans and Barbudans of all creeds and ideological
persuasions, must carry with us purposefully into the New Year. No
selfishness, no greed, no injustice, no discrimination, no vindictiveness. No
ambition for power at whatever cost. Only love, humility, service, and
sacrifice — the higher values of Christian living that guarantee ultimate
fulfillment for God’s children and lasting peace for the family of nations.
The year 2020 was particularly difficult for me personally with all the
political trials and tribulations I endured in the cause of being a servant
leader for the good we must do, especially for the less fortunate. But, thank
God, I made it through, rising on the wings of Christian faith and courage
beyond the forces of negativity. Trust me, it works.
And so, for the New Year, I urge us to cultivate in ourselves a passionate
commitment to love, peace, truth, justice, mercy, forgiveness and self-
sacrifice — the values gifted to us in the birth of Jesus Christ.
This year, the Covid19 pandemic claimed the lives of millions around the
world and lead us back to deep reflection on living with each other and for
each other based on our Christian principles
Our struggles with the social impact and economic difficulties of Covid 19
remind us that we are all equal… never mind culture, religion, politics or
occupation. We are all connected by our health as our real wealth; as one
people and one nation; as one world, one global family.
As we take our fight against this deadly virus into 2021, let us strengthen
our discipline for cleanliness as next to Godliness…. Wash our hands,
practice good respiratory hygiene, wear our masks, keep our minds and
bodies and surroundings clean and free from impurities… and keep our
distance
I thank all those sacrificing on the frontline of the fight against this
pandemic — the doctors, the nurses, the health care administrators, the
environmental health care workers, the police, the caregivers, the
volunteers — all of those who have carried out their responsibilities
professionally, lovingly and well to keep our country safe… I thank the
countries and international organizations that have been providing
assistance…
Our battle with Covid 19 brought us face to face with the extent to which
materialism has encouraged a lack of appreciation for the value of healthy
food, clean water, comfortable clothes, and proper shelter. And so, let us
rethink our priorities… Let us rebuild and renew home and family… let us
no longer neglect these foundation pillars for successful lives in love,
health, wellness, and happiness.
Let us repair our freewill so it chooses not to be selfish but to be selfless in
helping and giving and sharing. Let us repair our capacity for equal rights,
justice, peace, order, and good governance.
On Christmas Day, our family welcomed the birth of Patrick Asot Michael,
son of Shamarley Antonio and Nigel Michael. The gift of a grandson for
Christmas is as good as it gets. To God be the Glory. I thank my brothers
and sisters of this blessed land for the wonderful outpouring of
congratulations, love, and best wishes from all corners of Antigua and
Barbuda that has decorated this proud and joyous occasion in our lives
There was no better reminder this year that we are just one big, loving
family… better and stronger together, for always… forever!
I love you, Antigua and Barbuda!
HAPPY NEW YEAR in the embrace of His everlasting grace.
