«You have illuminated the Virgin, O Christ our God, Sun of Justice,
and the star reveals You deposited in the crib, You the Uncircumscribed.
You have inspired the wise men to adore You,
with them we glorify You: Giver of life, glory to You!»

Great Vespers of the Nativity of Christ.

At Christmas, the desire of peace that we all feel, expresses itself with more intensity.

Traditionally, in this period of joy that are the year-end feasts, we address ourselves the ones to the others good wishes: "I wish you much happiness" are words that sounds on all the lips. Nothing exceptional with that, they are only the expression of a quite natural aspiration in any Human. But if the desire to be happy is common to all, one has to admit that its conceiving is not the same for everybody.

Our developed societies, over-mediatized, too often involve us to identify happiness with success. One forgets the joy that the daily tasks filled with simplicity can get, in a spirit of service to the others. I think in particular to the work of children education that parents and teachers achieve each day. It is of a crucial importance for any Nation, and particularly in Montenegro where more than one fifth of the population has less than 14 years. The future of our country passes by the education of our youth! However, teachers — as medicine doctors besides — always remain among the low wages of our society, and the State Government budget for family and education is put on short allowance.

Our consumer societies make also think that happiness is necessarily related to "the possess", to the goods that one enjoys. Today, the number of cellular phones in circulation in Montenegro exceeds that of its inhabitants; isn’t Podgorica the surprising capital where one makes tails of several days in front of mobile telephony stores to get the latest fashionable model? Which tourist doesn’t come back from its journey struck with amazement by the number of luxury 4x4 that one crosses on all the roads of our country? Without speaking about a Montenegro European champion of plasma TV sales per capita... For my part, happiness seems to me more related to that one gives: The time devoted to the others, the attention, the affection showed to them, the generosity that one gives proof. Each one of us can do it, where he is.

First of all within the family. This is the privileged place of any training to the emotional, social and relational life. There is the dialogue within the couple which is the leaven of its unit; there is the listening of children, essential for their balanced blooming; there is the solicitude towards the grandparents who personalize the link between generations. For all that, time is necessary, one must be free.

Beyond the family, in priority our solidarity must be turned towards all those who live in poverty. The last report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) quoted the frightening figure of 70,000 poor in Montenegro; 10% of the citizens live below the poverty line, in the most total misery. Of course, the major measures to be taken are of the State’s competence, but each one among us can, and should, play an important personal role, in particular through associative life which must continue to develop to prevent a break in the trans-class social link.

There is also a quite specific manner to be interdependent. It is to show interest and respect to those who belong to other communities. Montenegro is rich of its multiethnicity: Ethnic Montenegrins, ethnic Serbs, Bosnians, ethnic Albanians, roms, ethnic Croatians, ... Be interested in the culture of the other, its religion, its history, learn its language, tie personal bonds in other communities are as many forms of solidarity and tolerance. It is important at one time when, almost anywhere, in front of the economic and the social difficulties, each one is inclined to retire within himself.

The word happiness will thus have a very concrete and very alive significance for each one among us. It is by sharing happiness that one found it.

This happiness, my family and I, we whole-heartedly wish it to you for Christmas and the Orthodox New Year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2008!
Srećan Božić i Nova 2008. Godina!

LORD’S PEACE,
CHRIST IS BORN!
INDEED IS BORN!

Pierre Olivier LEROY