2007 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE LEADER OF THE OFFICIAL OPPOSITION

As we prepare for the holiday season of Christmas and New Year's, we are reminded of the spirit of this season - the spirit of peace and goodwill.

Many of us will be reminded of the abundant blessings that we share with family and friends, in a province and nation of peace and wealth.

But we live in complicated times. Our great province and nation are experiencing unprecedented economic prosperity, but still people are living in poverty.

Never before has democracy touched the lives of so many across the globe, but injustice and strife continue for many of Earth's people.

Even within our own homes and families and neighbourhoods there may be conflict and hurt.

When those shepherds two thousand years ago heard the Christmas anthem of "Peace on Earth and goodwill to all" it was not a description of things as they were but more a vision of what might be.

We yet share that vision of peace and goodwill for ourselves and our families, for our neighbourhoods and communities.

We yet share that vision for our province and nation and ultimately our world.

And what we wish for ourselves we desire for all.

Angels sang of Peace and Goodwill... it is our human challenge to make it so for our children, our neighbours, our world.

In this holiday season, Betty and I and many of us will treasure our time with family and our family traditions, sharing our own faith traditions, remembering with love those whose chairs will be empty this Christmas, and sharing in the abundance and freedom that we are given in Saskatchewan.

May we go from this season renewed again in our commitment to sharing the peace and goodwill of which angels once sang at the birth of a Child with all children of all nations.

Betty and I extend to you and yours, a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

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For more information, contact:

Jay Branch
Official Opposition
Regina
Phone: 306-787-7388
Email: jbranch@ndpcaucus.sk.ca