Hafa Adai to my wonderful people of Guam,
This week, I am inviting the island community to Government House for this year’s Magof Nochebuena Peace Festival. This is the third year that the First Lady has held the festival, and I would like to think that it has become a tradition to which we all look forward. Last year, the Festival was extended at the request of one little girl who wanted to visit Government House with her father who was among the 600 deployed Guam National Guard soldiers at the time. The Peace Festival has brought together thousands of residents and visitors to celebrate the Christmas holiday and share the beautiful gifts of life, love, and peace that we enjoy on our island.
With the First Lady again taking the lead, Government House has never looked so festive. There will be decorations around the lawn of Government House, nativity displays, and special scenes, decorated by the villages, on the Mayors Council of Guam Christmas Train. There will also be Christmas trees on display inside Government House, decorated by our island’s women’s organizations. Their trees will reflect the work they do which help our island become a better place.
In our celebration and merriment, let us pray for peace in other parts of the nation and the world where there is so much hurt, confusion, and chaos. I pray every day and thank the Lord every day that we have been blessed with abundance. But these blessings come with a responsibility, and whether you are like me, who believes in the Lord above who sent his son Jesus to earth for our salvation, or if you believe in Buddha, or in some other higher power, I’d like to ask you to join Christine and me, and Ray and Notch in a prayer of thanks for our island community, as we pray for our brothers and sisters all over the world that they too may have a life of joy, love, and peace.
God Bless us all and Merry Christmas!
EVENT INFORMATION:
- The Magof Nochebuena Peace Festival opening ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 5. The Peace Festival will continue through Jan. 3.
- The Government House will be open on Sunday through Thursday, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be free photos with Santa on Fridays and Saturdays.