First Minister’s Christmas Message To The People Of Wales

First Minister Carwyn Jones wishes Wales a Merry Christmas. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

https://youtu.be/AFR7L8MJ9R4 ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

As many of us prepare to gather with our family and friends to celebrate Christmas, this time of year offers us an opportunity to reflect on the events of the past twelve months and to look ahead to the year to come. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

2016 has been an eventful year, to say the least. The events of the last 12 months have all brought to the fore differences in opinion among families, friends and others about the future we want for our country. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

So if 2016 has been about division, let’s make 2017 a year that unites us around one common purpose – to help each other lead the lives we want to lead, and to continue building a better Wales for all. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The message of peace and reconciliation is particularly poignant this year given the ongoing conflict in Syria and the millions of people facing an uncertain future. I’d urge us all to spare a thought for those who will not spend their Christmas with friends and family. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

I would also like to pay my heart-felt thanks to our hardworking health, social care, emergency services’ staff, carers and volunteers who give up their Christmas to help others. Your dedication and commitment is very much appreciated. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

I hope you all have a very happy Christmas – Nadolig Llawen i chi i gyd! ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM
First Minister of Wales ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​