Chester Borrows: Relish the land they fought for

THIS year I have written the following message in my parliamentary Christmas cards which have one of my paintings of poppies on the front:

"Christmas is a time when we remember a life given for peace on earth. The poppies commemorate 100 years since the Gallipoli campaign and those lives lost in the furtherance of peace.

"We should enjoy the country we have, the people we love, the nation we are building, and the history we will bequest to our children.

"Have a great Christmas holiday break."

Christians hold dear to the true meaning of Christmas which is the birth of Jesus the saviour of the world, according to our faith.

Most think of Christmas in New Zealand as a time of family gathering, a spell of fine weather - hopefully - and time off work for a week or two.

In all of this we celebrate in a country that is not riven by war and hasn't been in 150 years - though the signs of colonial Maori conflict are all around us if we care to look. But we have a great country to enjoy and a peaceful democracy to encourage us to reach the goals we set.

In spite of a gap in income and prosperity, those who have the will and determination to succeed will do so. Just yesterday I met a 21-year-old who, with no family financial backing or land, has bought his first farm - a truly remarkable achievement.

The sacrifices made by our troops 100 years ago and in successive years, battles and wars, and of those who have undertaken police missions, was to preserve the world - and particularly our corner of it - for generations to come as a land of free thinkers, inspirational leaders, and an egalitarian state where Joe was as good as his master.

Not to get out and enjoy this country, climate, freedoms, landscape and opportunities would be to squander all that those who served, lived, stood, fought and died for. But also those who didn't fight in the military sense but who worked hard to preserve, enhance and protect.

We owe it to those who have made sacrifices to enjoy their legacy in Godzone.

Have a sacred Christmas and a happy and relaxing summer.

-Chester Borrows is the MP for Whanganui.