I am very happy to express my warmest greetings and best wishes to all of you who are celebrating Christmas. This Christmas is unique and dear to my heart because it marks my first Christmas as president of UNIBOA and I join with you in celebrating it, recognizing the sense of renewed hope and comfort it brings to us as a people and community at large.

During the Christmas season, our thoughts turn to the source of joy and hope born in a humble manger on a holy night more than 2,000 years ago. Each year, Christians everywhere celebrate this single life that changed the world and continues to change hearts today. The simple and inspiring story of the birth of Jesus fills our souls with gratitude for the many blessings in our lives and promises that God's purpose is justice and His plan is peace and good will among men. It is the fulfillment of age-old prophecies and the reaffirmation of God's great love for all of us. Jesus Christ is the very personification of Divinity. He was born at a time when ignorance, superstition, greed, hatred and hypocrisy prevailed upon the land. Purity was forgotten and morality was neglected. In the midst of these conditions, Christ was born and thus hope and compassion entered a world weary with fear and despair and He changed it for all time.

Customarily, we celebrate the birth of Christ with prayer, feasting, and great merriment. But, most of all, we experience it in our hearts. For, more than just a day Christmas is a state of mind. It is found throughout the year whenever faith overcomes doubt, hope conquers despair, and love triumphs over hate. It is present when men of any creed bring love and understanding to the hearts of their fellow man.

Let us, as members, supporters and well-wishers of UNIBOA resolve to honor this spirit of Christmas and strive to keep it throughout the year and give thanks for Christ's message of love and mercy, and remember our responsibility and calling to freely and reverently serve our fellow man. This is our charge and this is our purpose.

On behalf of the UNIBOA Family, I pray your Christmas will be blessed with family and fellowship, and we wish you a day of glad tidings. May God Bless you and prosper the work at our hands.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!