Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Christmas Message

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Source: Finchley Press, 21 December 1967
Editorial comments: Item listed by date of publication.
Importance ranking: Trivial
Word count: 289
Themes: Family, Religion & morality

COUNTLESS ACTS OF KINDNESS … this is the Christmas message

—Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, M.P. for Finchley and Friern Barnet

We learn lessons from books but we learn about life from people. We admire or despise what we see in others and so know the better what to do, or not to do ourselves.

As it comes up to Christmas, a lot of people try to earn a little extra. I asked one pensioner what she was going to do with it. She is well over 70, has only her pension, some small savings and what she earns working a few hours each week. She said it was to buy something for her grandchildren for Christmas. I know that she could do with a lot of things herself, indeed what to her are luxuries, to her children are necessities. Nevertheless her greatest pleasure was to give to her grandchildren—to give pleasure to others and not to count the cost to herself. Therein lies the message of Christmas written more clearly in her deeds than in any sermon or book.

This Christmas and for many more, the children who receive the presents won't understand what prompted her action or the sacrifices it entailed. But in years to come they will do the same for coming generations because we repay the love of our parents by doing the same for our children, and so faith and love are reborn and pass down the ages.

The crimes of violence, quarrels, and terrible deeds of which we read are outweighed many times by the countless acts of kindness from neighbour to neighbour. Christmas brings a personal message to each one of us. From it we draw inspiration and courage to face and overcome the problems the new year will surely bring.

Denis ThatcherMy husband and family all join me in wishing you a happy Christmas and a good New Year. Margaret Thatcher.