Dear Editor,
For God so loved the word that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son to condemn the world, but that the world through Him, might be saved. Today we celebrate a historical fact that took place 2000 years ago. Today there are also those who doubt history’s footprints and facts preserved for centuries. Whether Jesus was born today, Jan 6 or in some other month—the fact remains He was born— to save the world from its sins.
Just as there are those who wish to tune down the Christmas story, there were those under Jesus’s time who— out of jealousy— sought to do the same. King Herod, in his greed to eliminate the Messiah, sought out and butchered dozens of innocent new born babies during that first Christmas. Herod eventually suffered a painful and nasty death, and am sure, is paying in hell today for his nasty deeds. No terrible deed goes unpunished.
Today, Christ would weep if he were to enter our world today— if he were born in our world today— a world of hatred, wars, discrimination, evicting immigrants from countries, arrogance among political leader, selfishness, a world where there is immense poverty and financial greed among those in the higher- earning income brackets— the secularism taking over the world and seeping into our religions too.
Today, the Baby Jesus would have had a different welcoming if He were born in today’s world.
My dear friends, let the love and simplicity of the first Christmas— of the Christ child, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger— among barn animals, penetrate our hearts and souls, to radiate that same love to those among us, especially to those who need it the most. Our society is not perfect, we are not perfect. Therefore, it is the perfect opportunity for each and every one of us to look past imperfection, differences, and erase the delineation that separates our families and friends from each other and use the message of Christmas to unite and become one again. Families and friends who are not speaking to each other over the past year must realize the importance of each unit and how important relationships are to our survival.
My dear friends, let us not look to our politicians or model their behaviour. For they have disappointed us over the past year. The disastrous behaviours in the Guyana Parliament over the past weeks and the disgraceful tax bill recently signed into law here in the USA are just a few examples how selfish these politicians can be. Today, many of them would be partaking in lavish meals and extravagant holiday festivities — sometimes among each other— while we, the commoners, continue to fight for survival, while the workers of Rose Hall estate in Canje look to the road beyond January, in wonderment to the future.
Brothers and sisters, politicians are smart people— let us show them how smarter we are in 2018, 2019 and ultimately 2020 —and beyond. Do not be further used in the new year. Stop running behind and following these people, and look after your own selves and families. My hope for you is that Guyana would become a more peaceful place in 2018, that those who pay lip service to certain issues would really and truly put their words and promises into practice.
Lead more productive lives in 2018. Stop being so negative all the time. Speak positivity. Be expectant. Something better is always coming for us. The Baby Jesus— the first Christmas gift to the world— is certainly not the final. For He will continue to pour down upon us, the peace we always languish for, if we only allow the love to seep into our minds and hearts, if only we allow peace and love to reign, to sow seeds of love instead of division.
A peaceful Christmas to all. A successful and bright new year too.
Yours faithfully,
Leon Suseran
