Christmas is recognized as one of the most popular holidays worldwide. More than 160 countries celebrate this holiday annually during 25th December or January- 6th, 7th or 19th. A few countries refer to this holiday as a family day, including Angola and Uruguay, while other countries like Jordon and Pakistan designated December 25th as an official holiday only for Christians. The word Christmas which means “Christ’s Mass” originated sometime during the early-to-mid 4th century by the Romans who used this period to celebrate the festival of Saturnalia. According to the Greek writer and historian Lucia (in his dialogue entitled “Saturnalia”) the festival of Saturnalia was  a “widespread” holiday involving alcohol, singing in the streets naked, and the acting of sexual immoralities. But as the story of Christ’s birth became popular, the Western Christian Church had placed Christmas on December 25- a date which was later adopted also in the East.
Christmas signifies the closing of the advent season and initiates the twelve days of Christmastide. Today, Christmas is celebrated by the lighting of Christmas trees; the hanging of wreaths, Christmas stockings, candy cane; the sharing of cards; the singing of Christmas carols; and other nativity scenes depicting the Birth of Jesus Christ. Generally, it is considered “the season of giving” towards the less fortunate people.

Guyanese Christmas
In Guyana, the Christmas season is no different. Guyanese (both Christians and non Christians), during this period celebrate Christmas by giving the less fortunate people, spending time with family members, exchanging gifts and not forgetting- widespread shopping.
In almost every home, there are the traditional foods that are prepared for this season like “pepper-pot with bread, the infamous-“black-rum cake” and also the making of “ginger beer” drink. Coupled with theses delights are scenes of joy for overseas relatives returning home just to spend Christmas holidays with their families.
Today, the Christmas tradition is slowly diminishing to a season of corporate gains for businesses and the widespread shopping. This is not only confined to Guyana but is the true reality of the world.
Almost everyday down the streets of Regent and Camp, there are thousands of people traversing the area looking for something to make their homes look better. Some Guyanese believe that without money the holiday would not be enjoyable. As one person proudly said on Regent Street yesterday that “money is everything and without money Christmas means nothing” Additional to this, another citizen said that “for Christmas her house must look nice with a lot of fairy lights and plenty of foods to eat”.
Most businesses enjoy this season due to the increased profits they make from their customers, while prices for domestic items such as poultry meats, vegetables, and other household essentials usually reach its peak status. Sadly, this is what Christmas has turned into, a business holiday. However, there are a few persons who still understand the true meaning of Christmas.  
A mother of two explained that “Christmas is the season of giving and recognising the birth of Christ”. Additionally, she believed that “you don’t have to have money to recognise this season but through the realization of this fact”.
Indeed, the festival of Christmas is changing, but there is hope that the true meaning will forever be hidden in the hearts of many of our Guyanese people.