As another year draws to a close, I think of all we have experienced during its course as a people. We have had reason to celebrate, and we have had reason to mourn. This is just the nature of life – there will be times of joy and times of sorrow. Despite our trials, the Christmas season reminds us that there is hope. It calls us to celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ who came that we may have life. Somehow during this time of year, people display more love towards one another. Disagreements that consumed us during the year, seem not to matter anymore. The time we couldn’t find for each other, we somehow find it now. The spirit of generosity that hibernated all year, seems to awaken at this time. The Christmas season brings out the best in all of us.
This year, it is so refreshing to hear the Christmas music from local artistes getting good airplay on all the radio stations. The variety of renditions from these familiar voices really evokes the Christmas spirit in us. There is a song for everyone – the gospel, the calypso-style, the satirical, the social – and yes – even the political commentaries. We must give kudos to our local artistes for this amazing collection of songs for 2013. I am hoping that they can all get together and produce one album for our listening enjoyment for years to come.
Commendations must also be given to all those communities and organizations that try to spread Christmas cheer in different ways. There are those that have the lighting of Christmas trees and carol singing. Others have fun activities and gift-giving for children. While some concentrate on giving food and other essentials to the needy in their community. We ought not to forget those groups that keep the serenading tradition alive. Many of us look forward to being awakened in the middle of the night to hear their singing (melodious or not), and their good wishes (usually in the form of a rhyme). Others pretend they are not at home when they hear serenaders. This can be very discouraging. If we want this tradition to continue, we should encourage serenaders by acknowledging their presence, singing along, sharing a few eats and drinks or a little pocket change if we have any, so that they can know that they are appreciated. It just doesn’t feel like an Anguillian Christmas if there is no serenading.
One aspect of our Christmas tradition that I wish could be revived is that of visiting each other on Christmas Day. There was a time when from dawn to dust people, many of whom you had not seen all year, were in and out of your home. Many of us who grew up with this tradition still cook a “little extra” just in case people stop by. But, sadly, no one does and so we end up with excess food which eventually leads to us gaining a few extra pounds. Christmas Day now seems to be reserved for quiet time with immediate family and maybe a few friends. While this is important, we ought not to forget others outside our immediate sphere. We can all do our part to revive this tradition, if we each find a little time on Christmas Day to pay an unexpected visit to at least one person. I am sure they will be glad we came. Additionally, rather than filling ourselves to capacity, we ought to share the extra that we have with those needy families around us. This can be our role in spreading the Christmas message of love, peace and hope.
While the curtains are coming down on 2013, even our elected officials seem to be infected by the Christmas bug. Many persons were worried about what would happen with the 2014 budget, given the recent events in the House of Assembly, but up to the time of writing everything is progressing smoothly. Perhaps the Opposition members have decided to be charitable this Christmas season and not hold the whole country hostage by causing a delay in the passage of the budget. It is a pleasure to see that even politics can be put aside during this season. Indeed “twas the night before Christmas and all through the [H]ouse not a creature was stirring, not even a [member of the opposition]”. In this season of hope, my hope is that just as 2013 ended, the same spirit will be carried over into the political campaigns of 2014.
May the joy, peace and love that Christmas brings continue to be with us as we end this year. From all of us at The Anguillian, I wish all of you a Blessed Christmas and peace-filled New Year.
