Dear Editor,
“The party’s on, the feeling’s here, that only comes this time of year, we’re simply having a wonderful Christmas time” are the words of the Sir Paul McCartney carol Wonderful Christmastime.
Just a few hours more until the climax of the Christmas season, then the day itself, and after that – it’s downhill. As is the custom here in Guyana (though it should be the other way round), Christmas celebrations usually begin weeks and months ahead instead of the two weeks immediately after the day itself. Personally I feel very sad that within a matter of hours it will all end. The scenery all over will change, the busyness in the streets will end, and most of all the sound of carols will no longer be heard. It’s a reality we must all deal with. Nelly Furtado said it best in her song (All Good Things) Come to an End – they really must.
And so by Christmas Day, Santa will become no more than a distant memory to all – until next year.
Wouldn’t it be nice if the Christmas season lasted throughout the year? I wasn’t the first person to have this idea; it was Brian Adams that did. “We waited all through the year for the day to appear then we could be together in harmony. You know the time will come; peace on earth for everyone and we can live forever in a world where we are free; let it shine for you and me. There’s something about Christmastime that makes you wish it was Christmas every day. To see the joy in the children’s eyes, the way that the old folks smile, says that Christmas will never go away.” What a joy it would be for all those nice things to continue all year through – only one thing – it must be Christmas every day.
It’s interesting that I do share the sentiments of wanting Christmas 365 days a year with not only Bryan Adams but also Celine Dion and her carol The Magic of Christmas Day. She says, “On the streets there’s children laughing, people smiling as they are passing, Christmastime is here, our waiting is done. Wishing it could last forever, not just twelve days in December, through the year let’s try to remember that special way that everyone feels, it’s the magic of Christmas Day.”
The euphoria and elation that comes with the sounds of certain Christmas carols just take you away from the realities of life to far away where all is peaceful and pleasant.
The New Kids on the Block sang two carols about children at this special time of year: (I’ll be Missing You this Christmas) This Boy’s Letter to Santa Claus and This One’s for the Children. The latter is a very special song that recognizes that there are children at Christmastime without homes, families, moms, dads, presents, food, and the love that those with all that was listed have. “There are some people living in this world; they have no food to eat, they have no place to go. But we all are God’s children; we’ve got to learn to love one another. Just remember they could be us, remember we all are brothers. This one’s for the children, the children of this world, may God keep them in his throne.” Nowhere in the song is anything mentioned about Christmas; however, it is a song that is played around this time of year, along with the other listed single above which was released on the Kids’ Christmas album in 1989 – and the single was a chart topper for the Kids.
I urge all out there that even if we don’t make this season good enough for us, then at least make it a good one for the children. Children need to enjoy Christmas – religion creating no bounds. Christmas has a central message, yes, but it is also a symbolic time of year where children make lasting memories that they will take with them all their lives. Let them hear about Santa Claus and his reindeer and elves. Let them hear about the journey he makes every Christmas Eve. Tell them about the traditions of this season. Show them the customs and most importantly – teach the Christmas story – that all because a young lady said ‘yes’ to God – ‘yes’ in every way, that we all can have salvation and a Christmas today.
And so it must all come to pass. Then it will all be over. On that New Year’s morn, “No more champagne and the fireworks are through; here we are me and you, feeling lost and feeling blue. It’s the end of the party and the morning seems so grey, so unlike yesterday, now’s the time for us to say Happy New Year!” That song (Abba) on January 1 will signal the end of all the celebrations and gaiety associated with the season. It will be back to life as usual.
May the love of the Babe of Bethlehem kindle in our hearts not only at this time of year, but for all the days of our lives.
Yours faithfully,
Leon Jameson Suseran
