Once more, we are celebrating Christmas.

This is a time of celebration, a time of peace and a time when feelings are magnified.

Nevertheless, the feelings brought by this festive season should not alienate us from reality.

Therefore, my first words in this Christmas Message are addressed to all Azoreans who are living this period in suffering, anguish or solitude.

And in this warm greeting I address to you, above all, a word of friendship and hope.

The times we are living are not easy times. There were neither easy for the Azores, nor were easy for Azorean families.

But in times like these, it is more important than ever that we all have the availability and willingness to roll up our sleeves and work to overcome the challenges we face.

It is this belief and this force to always strive for a better future for our land that motivates us and keeps us moving forward.

The Christmas season, when the lights of warm feelings keep the darkness of discouragement and discord away, is also a time for renewal.

A time for the renewal of Hope that daily guide us to give the best of us, as a People and as a Region.

Our commitment and determination, the qualities shown by the Azorean people who have overcome so many obstacles throughout History, should be, once again, invigorated.

This is fundamental to lead the Azores forward in the accomplishment of their goal of becoming a more prosperous and cohesive Region, built on the value of solidarity.

A Region that will be more prosperous for Azorean workers and regional companies, the main pillars of wealth generation and employment creation in our archipelago, being, therefore, the key actors in our development as a People.

A Region that will show its solidarity towards our elderly citizens, who have the inalienable right to enjoy with dignity their much deserved reward for a lifetime of hard work.

A Region that will show its solidarity towards all those who are in a vulnerable situation and who should be provided with the opportunity to overcome the obstacles of their lives.

A Region that will strengthen cohesion between our islands and our People.

Therefore, I reiterate our mission to ensure that these values and goals do not vanish from our daily lives and that they become our guidelines for another year that is about to come.

On my behalf as well as on behalf of my family and of the Regional Government, I wish all Azoreans, wherever they are, including those living in our Communities, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.