THE Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) finds it easy to welcome and participate in the festival of Christmas 2015.Noting that, before the traditional 12 days which celebrate the Birth of the Christ Child -– the bedrock of the Christian faith — Guyanese are all caught up in some form of preparation, if only to welcome a New Year, GAWU said the Christian festival is almost now secular in nature; that it is embraced by all groups of Guyanese.

“GAWU knows that is so because of the universal symbolism of the Christmas Story of the Birth of Hope. It is said that “hope springs eternal in the breasts of men”. What is life if not blessed with the future of hope? But the Infant’s birth was surrounded with the realities of mankind’s earthly vices and values of greed, lust and power.

The Christian Bible’s Gospel Writers tell of taxation time and a census to ensure a ruler’s or government’s access to finance; of a crowded city where the poor carpenter could find no room at any inn or guest house; then of a king’s ruthless jealousy enough to kill innocent infants.

But the Jesus Child was sheltered, protected, cared and blessed. His parents were wonderful in saving their family. The Birth and Life of the Christ prevailed. What lessons for today’s parents are there!

According to GAWU, it must also be noted that, according to Christian beliefs, the adult Christ became a spiritual leader extraordinaire. He taught compassion and offered spiritual salvation, but his “Everlasting Life” seemed not for those leaders who preyed on the poor and sought to accommodate wealth selfishly.

“Let us hold both our past and new leaders to such standards that the Christ exemplified. We must be provided with the hope of a bright future collectively -– as promised in all the election campaign manifestos. The Birth of the Christians’ Lord provided hope and salvation.

May all Guyanese experience such hope in promises fulfilled during this season in 2016. A Great Christmas and satisfying New Year from GAWU.”