Dear Editor,
SO, this is Christmas 2024 and everyone must have their share, be you man, woman, child or not; be you well or not fairly well, fair or not; be you good to do or not; being from any of the “C” party or not; be you Guyanese or not; be you Christian or not; be you family, friend, favourite or not, and, be you in Guyana or not. Some want snow, some not.

Some want sunshine, some not. Some want something, some want nothing. Some are thankful for everything, some are not. Some make sense, others, no-sense.
So, for the Christmas occasion, some complain for anything, some for nothing. Some choose to live in peace, some prefer conflict. Some try to be progressive, but some have reverse returns. Some are productive, while others are inactive. Some enjoy prosperity, some lament in despair. Some work, some don’t want to. Some are generous, others are not charitable. Some help, some turn a blind eye. Some shed light, others display darkness. Some love the truth, others adore lies! On one hand is volume and on the other, is vacuum.
So, Christmas time rolls in a tide bubbling with peace, joy and happiness. It is the period of bitterness being washed aside to allow the wave of love to roll in. It is a time to conquer hatred and celebrate an understanding of togetherness. Such a moment seeks camaraderie feeling to hide animosity.
The birth of light showers a pathway to celebrate the death of darkness. We, as Guyanese and West Indians, have grown from a grassroot of celebrating the festivity, regardless of being a believer of the Christian theology. We place faith and accept the doctrine of oneness as a way to save mankind. For the protection and preservation of humanity, finding joy in providing happiness for others is not only a selfless act, but also, a passion to serve a higher call.

So, for the Christmas holidays, we have taken advantage to “shop till we drop” because the business environment has commercialised the event and lure us with attractive bargains. Poor self-control or no discipline, favour us with buying what we want rather than purchasing what we need.
This desire to have everything new or redone, satisfies an inordinate craving with ulterior motives rather than being sensible to the sobriety of inner décor. Not stereotyping anyone, but to show off, is aligned to a cruel culture. The hire-purchase system provides a vulnerable magnet! Some end up paying dearly for this pay-later-plan.

So, Christmas departures and arrivals keep the airports busier than usual and airlines and hotels make money because of this peak season. Travelling can be cumbersome with the last-minute arrangements and the traffic hazards only congest the air and road.
Competition breathes contempt and so harassment is part and parcel of the discomfort. Juggling with bargains for rebates, debates and discounts, add to struggling with bags and baggage. For some, the weather man plays a pivotal role in clothes and costume’s choices and for some, your pocket and purse power prohibits certain designs and outfits. For some, the aftermath may rain some strain.

So, Christmas Day is followed by Boxing Day and we in Guyana (and elsewhere too), are lucky for the day to be a public holiday. So, the day after Christmas is a hang over from the previous day and for some, is an existential continuation of festivities.
Our colonial masters left many habits, some which we still practise to pontificate, some we perfect to cause pleasure or pain, some we prefer to preserve and some we portray in order to pretend.
The game of boxing used to be a traditional event during the days as British Guiana. Horse racing is another inclusivity to dot the celebration. For some, there is a tradition of not opening their gifts found wrapped in boxes and placed under the Christmas tree until Boxing Day. Control your temper and do not believe that such a day is to “box” anyone.

So, Christmas is a much-anticipated eventuality for annual expectations and participations. Some say Christmas is for kids due to the arrival of “Father Christmas” and the story of the Big Guy from the North Pole, coming down the chimney with his bag full of toys.
Blazing the trail on a sledge, Rudolph was the lucky red-nose reindeer, chosen to lead the pack. For the matured, the Mistletoe repercussion romances fertility and vitality, while stealing a possible passing phase.
Dressing up with decorations, balloons and fairy lights, provide the detailed Christmas environment. Yearly dances and parties, music and songs, carols and movies, allude to the ambience of that annual feeling of merriment and annul the “Home Alone” effect.

So, for Christmas, were you asked if you have been a good or bad person? Did you receive that year-end bonus and/or raise or promotion? Did you get the gift you wanted? Did you get to make that trip that was planned?
For some, Christmas is all about “eat, drink and be merry.” For some, attending midnight mass and giving, sharing and caring, is being more at home with Christmas. For some, the material aspects of Christmas surpass the spiritual significance of the day. Did you capture the true spirit of the season?
Yours respectfully,
Jai Lall.