THE cosmic concept that established the matriarchal sacredness and the Mother of God concept rests with the ancient astronomers/astrologers of Khemet (or Greek -Egypt). They had, over centuries, devised a cosmic language, recorded in hieroglyphs and also in art that embodied their research and conclusions.

Their ancient observations of the solstices concluded that the predominant legend of the divine birth revolved around the myth of the Sky Goddess, Nut. Without further complex details, “The mythology of the Sky Goddess giving birth to Ra catalysed both timekeeping and calendar development, endowed the concept of divine royalty, and instituted the matrilineal inheritance of the throne.” See-ASTRONOMY before the telescope: That practise of royal matriarchal lineage was also common throughout most of pre-colonial Africa. It is further understood why Miriam (Mary) was the focus of, and is inseparable in, the pageantry of the Christmas story; the innocent and protective motherhood, but also the entourage of the Three Kings.

Based on what we have learnt of the ancient world, no three kings garbed in rich silks and jewellery would have survived a mile outside of any walled kingdom, or survived Herod’s anger, so they were well accompanied on their journey by columns of armed protection; enough to temper hostility to their message. The ‘wise’ men were guided by a telling mystic star; the three kings reached the child with their symbolic gifts in a home with his mother and father, and with their army departed safely. But it was children; the infant males of Bethlehem, as the saga unfolded, who paid the price of their prophetic summary.

Christmas in our Caribbean world for the coupled family, or the bachelor with a visiting lady, is navigated by the woman. If you walk the streets of our townships or Georgetown during shopping days, it is the female who is managing what and when which holiday’s need is to be fulfilled, directing at home where and how male prowess is to be applied. You can hide, brother, but you have to go home to the chore conversation. And, as I was warned as a young man, it is not healthy to be averse to the cook, and Christmas is a high-tension mood-swing. Advise, yield, or reason towards compromise, because it’s a wiser posture. Twenty-five years ago, some stores sold toys as a significant shopping department. Today, home accessories are the dominant features. Somehow, the forced contribution of the infant sons of Bethlehem is lost in the current Christmas dialogue, and with them, the nurturing of the imagination of the ‘child’. Nothing is wrong with home appliances. As a child, I was aware of home appliances. There was not that a wide variety back then; they represented Christmas food and music among the expectations of new holiday-bought home appliances, but there was also the omnipresent ‘coal-pot’.

Christmas was an effort to concoct a home menu that was not in throughout the year. Pepperpot, baked chicken, black and fruitcake, sponge cake and the works, including homemade sorrel drink, gingerbeer and homemade bread were symbols of Christmas. But the ultimate thrill to the young were the gifts, from various sources, under the Christmas Tree.

The Christmas Tree must never be treated as casual; we must wake up to the symbolism of the Christmas Tree. All or most cultures before the construct of this celebration of ‘The Mass of Christ’, did adhere to a sacred ‘Tree of Life’; it is our ancient reverence to the protection, sustenance, and gifts of healing that nature has given us. We do things that span the 3 million years from primate to Homo Sapiens evolution, or adjusted creation because our genes and memories do transcend the man-made doctrines that twist, and with divisive temerity, abuse the profound to justify self-serving cravings; The tree of Life represented by ‘The Christmas Tree’ in its symbolic presence is crowned by a cosmic star, and at its root rest gifts.

Does it have to be artificial and store-bought? The answer is no. Any tree in your protection can be the symbolic ‘Tree of Life’, once you understand the significance and respect for nature’s blessings, and the part that trees have played in ‘being’ responsible for our planetary existence. There are arguments that Christianity was used to enslave us. Of course, its true; modern churches are also known to enslave their congregation towards the enrichment of a few. Most religions were used to suppress, along racial, gender, and thoroughly imposing spiritual, mental and economic bondage on dumb masses of believers, the godless political-isms are no better.

Therefore, it is necessary to explore and question rather than construct a self-made cell within the prisons we can identify. Start with the timeline of the prison you can identify, and make your first evaluation; the inspiration will follow towards the next exploration. But recognise in the construct of Christmas what are the innate pulses that are touched and sensitised beyond mundane commercialism that can bring your family closer to face the challenges before all of us. And so, a good Christmas to creatures all!