Parang singing is everywhere. Parang competitions and performances together with brilliant advertisement in the store windows and in the shopping malls remind the public that it is time to be generous and spend their scarce dollars, especially in this difficult economic times that the country is experiencing. It is not difficult to get into the joyful spirit when houses are so beautifully decorated with lights, when depictions of the birth of Christ in a stable in Bethlehem are seen from one end of the country to the other. Santa Clauses are ringing bells, distributing toys and shouting "Ho, Ho, Ho," and the sound of the children's laughter fills the air. The mass media-radio, television and newspapers-bombard the public with many extravagances that can easily be had with pay-later plans and special bank loans. Take a fridge, take a new big-screen television, take a new stereo set, take a new stove (and then have them repossessed early in the New Year for lack of monthly installments. That is from spending more than one can afford).
I am not suggesting that you should not clean and beautify your homes for Christmas, but all that should be done with modesty. But who cares about that when it is expected that keeping up with the neighbours and even bettering their performances is the motivating factor? The spirit of Christmas should be reflective of the significance of Christ coming among us. We are expected to express humility and generosity and forgiveness. We express that through the giving of gifts and sharing. Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace and goodwill to all men, but in this time of murders and robberies in our country it will be difficult to fully enjoy the season of love. There are too many criminals stealing the spirit of Christmas. Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace and goodwill to all men, but in this time of murders and robberies in our country it will be difficult to fully enjoy the season of love. In spite of that, there will be merriment and joy, because that is our culture.
Christmas on one level will always be a Christian religious season, but on the other level Christmas is an international season of goodwill and brotherhood that transcends all boundaries of race, colour, creed and political affiliation. It is meant for the whole world. Christmas in T&T will not be Christmas as we have come to know it without food and drink in abundance. On this day before Christmas Day, the pleasant smells of cakes, sweetbread, sorrel and ginger beer, of homemade wines and baked chicken and turkey and ham fill the air and encourage the appetite. Enjoy your gifts and food but remember that there are those that have very little to enjoy or share. Be generous to those that are poor and needy. Have a happy, holy and safe Christmas with your family and friends.
May God bless us all.
Steve Gonzalez
Gasparillo