There Are Long Periods When Life Seems

These Wretched Babies Don't Come Until They Are Ready.

I Have Behind Me Not Only The Splendid Traditions And The Annals Of More Than A Thousand Years But The Living Strength And Majesty Of The Commonwealth And Empire; Of Societies Old And New; Of Lands And Races Different In History And Origins But All, By God's Will, United In Spirit And In Aim.

At Christmas, I Am Always Struck By How The Spirit Of Togetherness Lies Also At The Heart Of The Christmas Story. A Young Mother And A Dutiful Father With Their Baby Were Joined By Poor Shepherds And Visitors From Afar. They Came With Their Gifts To Worship The Christ Child.

What Were Once Only Hopes For The Future Have Now Come To Pass; It Is Almost Exactly 13 Years Since The Overwhelming Majority Of People In Ireland And Northern Ireland Voted In Favour Of The Agreement Signed On Good Friday 1998, Paving The Way For Northern Ireland To Become The Exciting And Inspirational Place That It Is Today.

It Has Turned Out To Be An Annus Horribilis.