The T&T Guardian sought and received Christmas wishes from several local personalities. Today, we run those responses.
National Security Minister Gary Griffith
"My Christmas wish for myself and my family is to continue to grow from strength to strength, understanding that as a unit we can overcome all obstacles."Christmas is a time for renewal and I wish this for us. I extend this wish of renewal to the nation.
"We must renew our faith in our humanity, our principles and values."Let us be our brother's keeper, and put an end to the hatred and bitterness we see at times via difference in political affiliation, race and religion."
Boxing coach and T&T's first femaleworld boxing champion Ria Ramnarine
"I want to begin with my Christmas wishes for the nation as it is bigger than the individual."I'd like to see the caring, sharing and giving spirit continue throughout the year, especially caring, concern and respect which are needed in society more than anything else."My family, I wish that we continue to be together and held by love, hope and honesty and share respect for each other as well as good health.
"For myself, I wish I will be able to sleep whatever time I want on Christmas day."When I eventually wake up, I'll have some elves pack a Christmas basket for me and spend the rest of the day on the beach."New car seat covers and a music system will be nice too!"
Psychic Yesenia Gonzalez
"I wish myself safety, good health and love, everyone should join in unity and live together as one."For the country I wish everyone in T&T could walk in the street anytime, leave home not locked and be able to make a breakthrough with all the crime and wrong doing.
"T&T should come back to the days when you could leave your doors and windows open and there was no burglar proofing. "Children could play without a care and be happy, grow up in a safe nation with more education and security, more respect in schools and more care for older people and animals."My family in Venezuela, I wish for them to be free from the troubles the country is going through right now.
"I wish that the T&T police continue to work hard and whatever government is coming into power should love the people more and think about them more �than themselves."
President of the Inter ReligiousOrganisation Harrypersad Maharaj
In his Christmas message, Maharaj said citizens should follow Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela to inspire non-violent change."We must learn not to throw stones at the tree that is giving us the fruits, but rather to pour the water of nourishment, so we can continue to quench our hunger and thirst."
Maharaj said while many religious celebrations have become commercialised, the IRO wishes to remind the nation to focus on the benefits of these auspicious religious celebrations and extract the significance and meaning it holds to our individual and family life. He said citizens should be thankful for the goodness and charity that exist in our country and emulate that which is good.
"Let us cultivate a new culture to appreciate rather than criticise, to be exemplars rather than to constantly condemn others," he said.
Senior Sup Johnny Abraham
"First I want a peaceful Christmas season so my phone will hardly ring."For my family, I want to see and spend more time with them."I wish the nation gets more peaceful, it will have less crime, everyone will look out for their neighbours and everybody will love one another."
Formerchairman of the North-Central Regional Health Authority and president of the Medical Professional Association of T&T (MPATT) Dr ShehenazMohammed
"I wish that the nation enjoys a peaceful and safe Christmas."Be safe on the roads, at home, with the kids and have a wonderful season and get ready for a bright and prosperous 2015."