A Merry Christmas to all in these bleak times

I HOPE I don’t sound too glib, in the face of all the difficulties the world is currently facing, when I say I would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas. We can be truly thankful for our extraordinary good fortune in these bleak times to be able to be merry and celebrate Christmas with family and friends. So, a merry Christmas to those whose wise and considered leadership has inspired us this year... and a merry Christmas to the nurses, doctors, care-workers and many other essential workers who have looked after us so well... and to those neighbours, friends, organisations and volunteers who gave their time and energy to supporting others... and to those students and those returning to Guernsey this Christmas who have respectfully self-isolated to safeguard our community. There are those among us whose Christmas will not be so merry, having lost jobs or faced hardship, those who cannot see loved ones or who have lost loved ones. I hope they will draw comfort and support from our community. Let us hope that Guernsey stays together and moves forward together into 2021, whatever the new year brings.