You don’t have to have money to show love at “Christmas”

Dear Editor,
I bring you greetings of peace, hope and goodwill on this occasion of (COVID-19) Christmas.
Christmas fills a deep yearning in the human spirit: a yearning for togetherness, harmony, peace, love and unity. Human beings were designed for fellowship and friendship. Christmas takes us back to those true values; to the real meaning of life. It clears away the clutter and noise of our everyday lives and focuses our attention on the things that really matter: A right relationship with our Creator; bonding with our families and friends; caring for those less fortunate; and cherishing the weak and vulnerable.
It is so easy, in the cut and thrust of life, to get absorbed in ourselves and in our own pursuits. Sometimes families and friends are sacrificed on the altar of our quest to get ahead. Sometimes we forget the kindnesses, the acts of graciousness, and the compassion which should really characterise our lives. Christmas reminds us of all of this, and gives us an opportunity, yet again, to recommit to the things of lasting value.
Occasionally, we become nostalgic and talk about old time Christmas, but today I want to tell you about my vision of Christmas in a future Guyana. Guyanese, we can build, and a Christmas reality we can create with God’s help.
I have a vision of a Christmas wherein each person exemplifies Jesus’s ethic of love for neighbour, and there is peace and goodwill towards everyone. It is a vision of a Guyana which prizes cooperation and collaboration over confrontation and conflict. My vision is one in which concern for the poor and vulnerable is inculcated in each child, and becomes infused in our culture; a vision which will see all of us truly embracing the concept that we are one people, not a nation of political tribes. I have a vision of a Christmas which not only catches us in a good mood, as one song celebrates, but which finds all our men loving, cherishing and protecting their spouses and children, not destroying them.
I have a vision of peaceful communities, where people look out for one another’s interests and are actively engaged in spreading the Christmas spirit of peace; a vision in which our economic prosperity would be equitably shared, providing a solid foundation for our children and inspiring hope in our youth that they can achieve all their dreams right here in this dear land of ours.
Faith drives out fear. The message of Christmas is that God wants the best for us, and He doesn’t want us to be afraid of anything. God wants to prosper us and give us a good future, but we have to believe that with faith, hope and love, we can exemplify the true reason for the season.
At this time, let us especially remember those in the hospital and those sick at home. Let us remember those who have lost loved ones during the year, as well as those who are lonely and depressed. Let us reach out and touch somebody.
Make someone’s Christmas memorable this year; you don’t have to have money to show love. Your words of encouragement and upliftment, your smile, your generosity of spirit, can warm hearts. Go over to a shut-in and give a helping hand. Reach out to a child. Call up some family member you might not have been in touch with for some time. Mend fences. Call someone from whom you might have been estranged. Pass on the love that Jesus has passed on to you. Spread the joy of Christmas. It is indeed the most wonderful time of the year. Let others experience that in your presence this Christmas season.
Today, I salute all those who sacrifice being with their own families to care for and protect others, especially those in the essential services.
Merry Christmas to our senior citizens, who have given so much to us. We honour you this Christmas. We thank you for your devoted service and for all you have invested in our lives. This is also the season for thanksgiving. We thank God for the gift of His Son Jesus Christ, and our own gift-giving is a small reflection of this Supreme Gift.
From me and my family to you and yours: we wish you a merry and meaningful Christmas.

Sincerely,
David Adams