Okay the caption might come off as trite and hackneyed. But my “Christmas Is with Us Again” is actually the title of one of my favourite local Christmas time songs. Sung by the Mighty Lord Canary (Malcolm Corrica) the song conjures up all the imagery of a Guyanese Christmas while extolling the hope and peace of the Season of the Christian festival.
This pervasive celebration, transcending and enveloping all ethnicities, cultural preferences and even other religions is certainly with us in all its glory – and viciousness (?).
No, I won’t go on today about the crass commercialism and vulgar extravagance the “season” is made to be by business people. I focus briefly on the Guyanese-ness and the good of our Christmas.
Canary’s beautiful tune with all its lyrical content and appeal for love and peace; the Four Lords’ “Happy Holiday”, the Police Band, Steelband and Masquerade, specific local foods for the season and the refurbishment and renewal of homes and the human spirit all complement the more universal themes of this Christian year-end festival. The carols, the gifts, the sharing between superiors and subordinates at parties and gift exchanges and the seasonal incessant calls for “Peace and Goodwill to all mankind” resonate with all peoples – in Guyana and elsewhere. And all that is certainly the good of Christmas. Let us hope that the positives overwhelm the negatives of the realities throughout the years.
Other meanings
of Christmas?
Upon returning from an interesting vacation in the USA this week, I learnt of the publication of some significant books. Local publishing is alive and well happily. Godfrey Chin’s long – awaited Nostalgia has made its Georgetown debut. (I wonder when Allan Fenty’s much, much longer – awaited “A plate of Guyana Cook-Up” will ever surface?). But I congratulate my favourite paper the Stabroek News for its two brand new publications, Birth of Stabroek News and Guyana and the World. The latter is a collection of selected editorials which were written by the late accomplished foreign affairs expert and commentator Lloyd A Searwar. I know I’ve just been somewhat oblique but it is Mr Searwar I am turning to in order to present an intriguing perspective, or meaning, of the Birth of the Baby Christ.
Searwar uses the St Luke Gospel to remind those interested that the Carpenter Joseph, a much older man than his young reputed wife Mary, had journeyed to Bethlehem, a city in Judea. This was because it was time to pay his compulsory taxes.
Young Mary just had to give birth to her first child, the Baby Jesus. All the inns and guest houses turned them away, so the Child had to be born in a manger! Searwar writes that: “the manger, a feeding place for cows and other animals, was probably located in a cave in the Judean hillside. It was almost certainly dark and smelly; nothing like the images in Christmas cards or like the cribs installed in some churches at this time, but far more like a corner in some contemporary refugee camp. Later the family, threatened by the ruler Herod, world flee for their lives into Egypt.”
Searwar – and I – reflect upon the fact that this scriptural account of the Birth of Christ typified so well “recurring disorders and patterns in the (current) human condition” – people punishing, being denied basic living conditions, fleeing from conflict, harsh political edicts, poverty and/or natural disasters. You see the other meanings – or stark symbolism – of Jesus’ Birth? A reflective Christ-mas season to you!
A “responsible” Christmas
Next week I’ll quote my “favourite” negative lament and warning with respect to this season.
For now I ask that you be cautious, be responsible. Even think like a criminal at times. Remember that the bandits want a good time at your expense. So what are they planning in the towns? And in your little community? Take “security steps”. Explain to your children just why you can’t afford to give them what others are getting and just what Christmas does not mean. You must eschew the inviting extravagance yourself? If you just cannot acquire that new something for next Tuesday make plans (with your family) to get it within a month’s time, say. And after eating and drinking all the Christmas time fare, look after your health? Moderation?
A “salt-fish flight”
Look, I grew up on Canadian salted fish. It was my poor-people’s food. Cheap in the fifties/sixties. Not so today! And even if ever I become a millionaire I’ll still love my salt fish.
But that does not mean that I should have appreciated the “salt-fish smell” that pervaded the aeroplane flight – the aircraft cabin – which I encountered on Tuesday morning – from New York to Timehri. They tried to fix it before we left cold, chilly, snow-challenged New York. But Salted Fish has a powerful smelly reminder of its presence.
Now I swear that I’m not one to easily gripe or complain about meals on an international flight. However, for a five-hour flight at a particular cost, a small hamburger and a packet of chips surely can be insulting! (I’ll tell you the name of the airline – if you ask me.) Naughty. Shame!
A contemplative Christmas
