opinion

Our sunshine Christmas --- Caribbean style!
by Clarence E. Pilgrim

With sprinkles of sunshine and cotton contoured clouds, on a bed of blue skies stretching from the Christmas market in Jamaica to Goedoe Pa in Suriname, over Parang music in Trinidad and alighting on Baked Turkey and specially prepared ham in Antigua --- all through the Caribbean lands the Christmas season is taking hold and building towards its climax on the 25th of December, the day which the Christian community recognizes as the birth of the son of God. However, the goodwill of the season is found in the hearts and actions of both Christians and non-Christians alike. The many activities which have become tied to the celebratory nature of this time, have added to the wealth of the experience even though they are secular in nature, and go well beyond the meaning of the symbolic biblical star over Bethlehem.

Christmas in the Caribbean Community is beyond comparison to anywhere else in the world with its assortment of feasting, gift-giving, exchange of Christmas cards, music, window shopping sprees, colorful street decorations, masquerades, home lightening etc.

The revolving hospitality of our people at Christmastime goes above and beyond what is expected. Families and friends prepare an assortment of food, cakes and other tasty treats, which is not only for personal enjoyment, but is shared among others including co-workers, villagers, church members etc.

If, for example, you are a visitor to our Caribbean lands, it is not uncommon for a family with whom you would have become familiar, to insist that you join them in sharing the Christmas spirit through an offering of at least Christmas Cake and some seasonal home-made thirst-quencher.

In keeping with tradition, you will find many house cleaning expeditions to make sure that the home environment is carefully arranged to give the aura of renewal and festivity. This may include changing the curtains, painting parts or the whole building, or even purchasing new furniture.

It is interesting to mention that many believe that a central part to the celebratory spirit of this time of year is the invocation of golden memories and fond stories of past Christmases, to include the joys and even sorrows of what was and what could have been.

Each story usually has an end involving hope and optimism for the future, typical of the story of Scrooge, but told in a sunshine setting.

Like some persons I am looking forward to the Hymns and Songs used in churches to set the right mood. I am sure you will agree that there is no substitute to the vintage Christmas Carols which are played and sung from year to year.

It is my hope that despite the challenges of 2008, filled with a global financial crisis, the rising cost of living in the Caribbean, political machinations permeating in those countries preparing for elections and also the maneuverings at the CARICOM level as it relates to entry, non-entry or possible entry into CSME, that we can find common ground to momentarily set aside these challenges and enjoy sending and receiving Christmas cheer from relatives, friends, business associates etc.

Let us try to find the time and a way to share with those persons who are less fortunate than us. Even a simple greeting or a word of concern would suffice.

This year for those who believe that there is a modern day Santa Claus, it would be interesting to take a peep at their wish list to see just what they would be asking him for.

I would like to believe that on one line of that list would be written these words in one form or another --- May peace and goodwill be with us always!

If this is so then it would be the right step towards making our Caribbean experience simply a living paradise.

Merry Christmas to one and all!

The author is an educator and senior civil servant in Antigua & Barbuda