Hold on to hope

Whatever ones views, we’d like readers to be deeply inspired by the occasion, that commemorates the birth of the Christian Messiah, the Son of God, who ultimately sacrificed himself to redeem all sin. Is this theological tradition totally at odds with the picture of hordes of shoppers on Charlotte Street, Port-of-Spain, toting bags of groceries and gifts? Not necessarily.

The reality is that thousands of mothers and fathers have worked hard and saved their money to buy food and gifts for their children to celebrate the occasion, in an act of caring that truly reflects the Christmas spirit and emulates the Three Wise Men’s gift to the Christ Child. A million little acts of love are thus taking place across the nation.

Of course, one should avoid over-extravagance and over-indulgence, especially at a time when so many other persons have lost their jobs and may be challenged to meet even the basic necessities of daily life.

We’d also suggest the festival be underlined by a contemplation of the misfortune of those citizens who have lost loved ones to violence or road carnage, still all too prevalent in the past year. The revelry of us celebrating Christ’s birth must certainly not become a source of angst for others, whether by the hazards of drunk-driving, or excessive noise-making by bass-pounding loudspeakers or illicit firecrackers.

Between now and Old Year’s Night amid the revelry will be some soul-searching as to where we are as a nation, including much sorrow over the country’s high murder-rate for which murdered bank clerk, Shannon Banfield, 20, has become an emblem of. While we mourn and take stock, let us be encouraged by the thousands of persons who each quietly toil in their corner of the vineyard to try to make us a better people. We salute those persons who attended the vigils and peace marches held in the wake of Banfield’s murder. We hail those persons who give freely of their time to spare a kind word for the local wayward youngster, and those who run courses in pursuits such sport, music and art which each lift the human spirit.

We’d certainly endorse the words of Pastor Clive Dottin who has called on the population to unite across the superficial boundaries of personal background so as to be our brother’s/ sister’s keeper.

The economic lull coupled with joblessness and high-crime suggests to us that it is certainly time for this society as a whole to press the re-set button as to our priorities.

While the country has a hardcore criminality to be tackled by hard-policing, the longer-term goal should be to positively mould a better citizen, by as simple a step as showing our youngsters how much we love and care for them.

Parents need to spend more time with their children than at present, and guide them into active pursuits so as to take a break from their electronic gadgets.

In the absence of any nationwide plan to galvanise the huge energy generated by the public outpouring of concern at the Banfield murder (amidst all the other deaths), each one of us can use this holy period to commit to helping someone in our community to be a better person, in as simple a thing as helping a child with homework.

A casual glance at early morning television in TT will reveal thousands of persons across the land engaged in activities to uplift mind, body and soul.

Have fun, live well with your neighbour and hold on to hope.

Happy Christmas.