EDITORIAL: Remember the true meaning of Christmas

THERE was a time not too long ago, when people in Barbados focused more on giving God thanks for bringing His only Son into being, and less on the gift-giving aspect of Christmas. For those born in the previous generation – about 30 years ago – the concept of not going to church on Christmas Day was met with disdain from members of society, since this was considered one of the more important days on the church calendar. When presents were exchanged, the reason for Christmas was understood and the spirit of the season was shared with others.

 

We now live in an era of political correctness where these sentiments are slowly becoming a thing of the past. Clearly, there is nothing wrong with expressing your love for others through giving presents since the Bible tells us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. However, we must be careful not to send the wrong message, obscuring the real meaning of Christmas by giving way completely to commercialism. 

 

Every year the rush to see who can get the best and most expensive present for loved ones takes over. We fully acknowledge that this is to the advantage of our business community, especially at this time, when increased spending gives a welcome and vital boost to the economy. We do not want to discourage Christmas shopping, indeed, Christmas is the make or break time for many businesses, including ours. We would only caution that care needs to be taken, on the level of personal values, to ensure that a balanced attitude towards Christmas is conveyed to our children and society as a whole. 

 

In this vein, private sector stakeholders have set the Christmas ball rolling by promoting charitable events where people, especially children, can experience the true spirit of giving and sharing. For instance, Simpson Motors this year reintroduced their Christmas Wonderland extravaganza, which saw long lines of people waiting to enter, and this past weekend there was Christmas at The Villages in Coverley, where patrons enjoyed free entertainment and the chance to obtain wonderful Christmas gifts. 

 

However, the meaning of Christmas goes even further than charity. Jesus, throughout His lifetime, gave of Himself freely to the forgotten and those in need. It is expressly for this reason that many churches, vehicles for spreading the Word of God and the works of Jesus, very often increase their presence at this time and embrace particularly those who believe that they are outcasts in society. Clergy, and lay members of congregations across the island, are well placed to reach out to others and promote positive values as well as the preservation of traditions that Barbadians hold dear. We eagerly anticipate an added outreach in this area. 

 

Amidst the merriment, each individual is encouraged to reach out to someone who might need assistance or to be comforted during this season, and in doing so help to rekindle the true spirit of Christmas. For some there may have already been a few mishaps or tragedies this month, that caused many to ponder. There has also been great hue and cry about the increased uncaring nature of people and the need for us to be more considerate towards others. However, as we reflect on events that have occurred throughout the year, whether good or bad, we must remember that Christmas is a time to give God thanks for everything that He has done for us, and the perfect opportunity for each person to share love with our fellow man.