By Wendella Davidson

CHRISTMAS is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration by billions of people worldwide.

The Christmas Carol (also called a noël, from the French word meaning “Christmas”) is a song or hymn whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas, and is traditionally sung at Christmastime itself, or during the surrounding holiday season, according to Wikipedia.
Wherever there are Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services, it is noted, every effort is made by Guyanese Christians to attend at least one, as for them, Christmas is symbolic of new birth within one’s soul, as well as the remembrance of the birth of the baby, Jesus.
Here in Guyana, from as early as November, one begins to think of Christmas, as it is customary to hear Christmas Carols or Christmas tunes being played on the airwaves. Recently, it was observed that carols were being played on the various radio stations from as early as October month-end. Meanwhile, not to be outdone are the pushcart music boxes that can be found at almost every conceivable corner in the city, and they play both traditional and Reggae versions of Christmas Carols.

The most popular of the traditional carols are ‘Silent Night’; ‘Good King Wenceslas’; ‘Once in Royal David’s City’; ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’; ‘God rest you merry gentlemen’; ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’; ‘The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)’;’Jingle Bell Rock’; ‘Feliz Navidad’; ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’; and ‘This Christmas”, the last two of which are quite emotional.

Then there are the upbeat carols by Michael Jackson, and our very own John ‘Slingshot’ DrePaul that you cannot resist tapping your feet to, or trying out some dance moves.
In particular DrePaul’s ‘There is nothing like meh home on Christmas morning’ and ‘No matter where I may roam…! You’re my Home, Sweet Home’, among others through which he talks about not experiencing Christmas unless you’ve delved into the pepperpot, ginger beer, garlic pork and sorrel, and the traditional black cake.
Sorrel is the beverage of choice, and is made with either dried or fresh sorrel, spices, orange peel and rum.

In the Caribbean, Christmas is a magical time, and no matter where in the Caribbean it is you’re spending Christmas, you’re bound to be treated to images of Santa, messages of joy, and a blending of old and new Christmas traditions. Santa may not have a fireplace, but the spirit of the season is one of peace and goodwill to all.