TODAY, Guyana joins the world in observing and celebrating Christmas which originally began as a celebration by Christians, but as the world became increasingly interwoven, to a large extent by colonialism, Christmas has become an internationally recognised holiday. In Guyana’s case, it has become a truly national occasion – like some other religious holidays, but perhaps because Xmas comes at the end of the year it is all the more encompassing.
And so Guyanese families will prepare their traditional menus and beverages and buckle down to sumptuous meals and exchange visits and felicitations with relatives, neighbours and friends. It is also a time for healing and conciliation among friends, relatives and colleagues who, for some reason or the other during the course of the year may have encountered some difficulties which led to ‘soured’ relationships.
One of the sad developments during the festive season over the years that must be acknowledged is the over indulgence in alcohol. Somehow, the festive season for many has become synonymous with huge drinking sprees, and unfortunately those on many occasions in the past have led to terrible tragedies such as road accidents, horrible murders and killings and serious domestic violence, etc.
Therefore, it will be wise for all Guyanese to reflect on the past while they enjoy themselves and let moderation be the watchword during this season, so that we could have an incident-free holiday, bearing in mind the large number of tragedies we have had during the course of the year.
And in the true ‘Guyanese spirit’, it would also be useful to identify ourselves with the less fortunate and those who are agonising because of tragedies, and in our little way help to bring comfort to them. Actually, that is the essence of Xmas and therefore all Guyanese should play a part in this respect.
We may not be able to bring comfort to the many millions around the globe, but at least we could do something for our own people and those among and close to us.
In this regard, the many businesses, social organisations, and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security must be lauded for their sterling efforts to bring some degree of joy to the less fortunate in our society, but our larger perspective should be to drastically reduce poverty and eventually eradicate it from our midst.
After all, the purpose of us mortals is to help create a better world where everyone can be sheltered, fed, clothed, housed and become educated, and where people of all races, creeds, religions or political affiliations can co-exist in an atmosphere of peace, harmony and goodwill.
Perhaps Charles Dickens summed it up well when he said: “Time was with most of us, when Christmas Day, encircling all our limited world like a magic ring, left nothing out for us to miss or seek, bound together all our home enjoyments, affections, and hopes; grouped everything and everyone round the Christmas fire, and make the little picture shining in our bright young eyes, complete.”
At this time when people of all faiths join in the celebration of Christmas, there are numerous expressions about ‘peace’ and ‘goodwill’.
Translating such expressions into practical efforts, beyond today, to help build neighbourhoods and communities across ethnic, religious and political boundaries, could make a significant contribution to a lived experience of our national motto of ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’.
It may seem a bit irreverent, blasphemous even, to apply a nationalistic qualification to an essentially theological element – even more so at Christmas time – yet there is something distinct and intangible that people in this particular geo-political space, called Guyana, uniquely possess.
A distinct local or national spirit is something that perhaps all societies can lay claim to – ours is marked by a particular resilience. It isn’t quite our culture. Guyanese culture is too resplendently multi-dimensional, too variegated and nuanced to be encapsulated within a word like ‘spirit’.
The Guyanese spirit, this quality of resilience that is more dogged and pragmatic than it is unbounded optimism, is something that we will possess for all eternity, and will shine brightest this Christmas.
Also, in this period, accepted around the world as the season of traditional goodwill to all, it should be the bounden duty of all Guyanese to strive to overcome differences in an atmosphere of peace and understanding.
May we all have an enjoyable, peaceful and tragedy-free festive season.
Merry Xmas to all!