HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER II CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR MESSAGE

Belgrade, December 27, 2002. - The time of Christmas and New Year’s festivities is approaching. As once Magi from the East did, as all people that search for Divine truth and justice do, each one among us and all of us pursued during 2002 the one star among stars we believed to be the True One. Now, at the end of second year of the third millennium, we are encountering the question if that star of ours was the same as the one from Bethlehem, if we are nearer to the knowledge of Christ, if we are aware of who we are in front of God and among peoples, if we are coming nearer to this glorious and gentle day as those that found the path, or as those that got lost in that journey.

The answer is bound to be asked by one and all, but we are due to answer the same question both as humans, as a nation, as moral and political beings. Everyone knows that our national house is still not in order and that our society continues to be afflicted with discord, quarrels, violence and evil. Yet, it cannot be denied that there are many changes for the better. Many of the phenomena that we take for granted today and normal were not until recently within the domain of our dreams. To remember that, to nurture and improve upon such phenomena, one must posses plenty of good will, patience and compassion.

We are all facing a tremendous mission. We have to agree what would be the state we live in and that we call ours. We have to build anew bridges that were ruined, bridges that connected banks and peoples. We have to compensate for the missed opportunities and to find again what was lost. We have to remove prejudice, hatred and ignorance, and work on unity, tolerance, the respect of human rights and knowledge. We have help the poor, the homeless and the sick. We must endeavor to be one nation respecting all citizens. For such tremendous effort one must dispose with great strength that is based on love and mutual respect for all citizens regardless of ethnic origin and religion, and that love has to be built in each endeavor, each enterprise and each thought. Only then shall our deeds bloom, and our nation house shall display progress and be a model of harmony between nations and among peoples.

Only then shall we know we appear with in front of the cradle of the newborn Christ!

My family and I join, to wish all of you our brothers and sisters by birth and by the fact that we are humans, that are our neighbors and relatives by good will and honorable intentions, to you that bear love in your hearts and faith in your souls, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with joy and better future for everyone, as we extend to you our tradition salutation of peace.

THE PEACE OF OUR LORD, CHRIST IS BORN!