26/12/2021
His Excellency Ferdinand E. Marcos
President of the Philippines
On Christmas day
Delivered on December 25, 1983
On this festive day of Christmas, once again we gather in the quiet of our homes and in the company of our loved ones, to hear its ageless message of joy, peace and goodwill.
Of all the feasts of Christendom, Christmas is the festival of family and home. Today, I think especially of the larger family that is our nation and our people
We are coming through a year of many trials and difficulties. And it may seem that for many members of our family, it will be hard to feel the happiness and merriment that naturally belongs to Christmas.
Yet there is in the midst of all these, much that as a people we can be proud of, and much also that we can be thankful for. For together we have shown the way in confronting the many difficulties and challenges before us, through our fortitude and our resolve. In the midst of crisis, once more we have proven ourselves resilient and undaunted. Under the threat of chaos and disunion. We have kept faith with one another. Now as the Christmas season comes upon us, there are many things that should not fail to lighten up our hearts and raise our hopes for the future.
It is no doubt the timelessness of the Christmas message that makes this day so special in our lives. We know that even as the world keeps on changing, and our circumstances with it, certain things do abide and endure. And it is not so much the material blessings that gladden our hearts today, as the spiritual possessions that are ours: the friendship and love of others, the warm knowledge of national solidarity and unity, the undiminished hope in the blessings of tomorrow.
In good times or in bad, the message of Christmas is one of joy and hope. And so today my family and I fervently pray that such will be yours this Christmas Day. Merry Christmas to all.
B**gbong Marcos for President