The SSP Diaries | Another Christmas under pressure?

We have had a Christmas under the impact of the dreaded COVID-19 virus in Jamaica. This was a unique experience as we were requested to observe health protocols, the sum of which represented restrictions on free movement and subsequently, there was the need to be vaccinated as the Government sought to control this monster.

The second is now upon us; things are not necessarily better as the virus has not yet been eradicated. It has “wheeled and come back again” in varying forms and intensities. To our disgust, the health restrictions intensified over the current year and so did the measure of rebelliousness among some in our society. Social distancing, washing hands regularly, sanitising, wearing masks, coughing or sneezing into elbows, and oh yes, lockdowns/curfews, etc., measures recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and agreed by governments, were not things readily accepted by significant numbers of our population, to the detriment of others. This is a major challenge across the nation. We have always had a problem with complying, especially when things don’t suit us. One day I hope we’ll learn that with freedoms come responsibilities. Enough said for now.

Whatever “celebrations” we plan this year are going to be restricted again. COVID-19 is still with us. COVID-19 is still impacting the larger countries of our world and has severely disrupted their productivity. The supply of goods and services that we were accustomed to in 2019 will not be there as manufacturers are unable to produce the usual Christmas items demanded in good times. Skilled labour, put out of jobs because of COVID-19 restrictions, have in many cases moved on to other jobs, and businesses have not had sufficient time to recruit, select, train and develop replacements. Commercialisation of the season over the years has caused us to develop a huge appetite for consumerism.

NOT LIKELY TO BE NORMAL

Christmas 2021 is therefore not likely to be a normal one. There will be less goods and services available, less disposable income to buy gifts and food, less chances to see family and friends, less parties/movies/plays, if any at all. Most of us won’t stand a chance of putting on an ounce of weight over the period! The need to comply with health protocols remains very much critical if we hope to see more Christmases in the future and we must encourage our family and friends to comply. One thing is and has always been in abundance, however, and that is the love of Jesus Christ!

If we take the time to focus on the reason for the season, we will find in Christ all the abundances imaginable. Christmas is a time in our culture for remembering and celebrating the birth of Christ. Although church services might have restricted attendances, their doors are normally open during the daytime when movement is allowed. Visit and give thanks. If not minded to go to the temple then pause in your daily routine at home, or work, and give thanks to the Lord for the birth of his son and what he did for us while on earth, and know that he is still there for us. If you do not celebrate Christmas, or are of other religious persuasions, do take the occasion to also pause and still give thanks. Recognise that commercialisation of the season has in many ways driven us away from how we were meant to exist as human beings, we have lost a great deal of our spirituality, we have lost the ability to respect life, to respect one another, to be kind to our elders, to be kind one to another, to seek to help those in need. COVID-19 allows us the opportunity to reflect on life, see how fragile mankind is and how poorly we relate one to another. From this experience we have been forced to understand that there are things in life that can humble us, regardless of whether rich or poor, healthy or sick, educated or uneducated, Christian, Muslim, Jew, Rastafarian, Revivalist, or any other denomination. It has been a great leveller of the “playing field”.

My fellow Jamaicans and people of the Caribbean, COVID-19 is something that will pass, the journey may seem long but it will be a memory one day. Christ and whatever your systems of belief remain with us forever. Revisit your spirituality this Christmas and rediscover faith, hope and charity. Celebrate the true reason for the season and invite your family and friends to do the same, the more the merrier for Christmas 2021!

Have a Merry Christmas and I wish you Good Health and Blessings for the New Year!

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