ON THIS Christmas Day all across this island, residents will deliver gifts to loved ones, many of them fuelled by the sense of love and sharing that is supposed to characterise the season.
In fact, based on the number of public relations pieces appearing in the newspaper and the radio and television promotions that have flowed into our homes thanks to the airwaves and Internet, this spirit of giving has been on the rise since the start of the month.
But this sharing has not just been associated with loved ones and customers, as our charities, service clubs, churches and kind-hearted individuals have been spreading their own brand of cheer with food hampers for needy families and toys for children.
Of course, organisations such as the Salvation Army, thanks to the generous donations of individuals and companies, have offered their usual helping hand to some of the most vulnerable in our society.
And Christmas Day, when countless citizens and visitors sit down to their sumptuous Christmas fare, a small army of generous Barbadians will put the homeless ahead of their own personal pleasures to ensure that those to whom we hardly give a second thought each day at least have a substantial meal.
These are the ones who come closest to exemplifying the “peace on earth and goodwill to men” that speaks to the true significance of the period, and indeed the birth of Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately for too many on this island, this spirit of sharing will end with the 12th day of Christmas, despite the fact that so many of the needs will continue long after the Christmas lights have been unplugged and the trees dismantled and stored away for use next December.
It is on this point perhaps, that more Barbadians should pause and ponder. It does not take any complex equation to conclude that if more of us were a little more willing to share just a bit of what we possess with others who have little, the level of suffering experienced in this country would be considerably reduced. And it can be achieved without lessening the standard of living of those who choose to share.
We also cannot help but notice that there are quite a few substantial companies in this country whose names are never associated with any act of giving. You never see their names on the shirts of a sports team, not even the village netballers who ask for nothing more than a few bibs; they will not sponsor so much as a school play or educational tour; and regardless of the time of year any entreaty for assistance is met with the announcement that their “charity” budget is “already exhausted”.
They only spend money that is associated directly with the acquisition of more money – their “giving” is based only on what they will receive back.
Yet their profits remain huge, a sure sign that Barbadians support them with their patronage while never once stopping to give consideration to their poor profile as good corporate citizens or their lack of social conscience.
It is against this background that we wish all Barbadians good cheer this Christmas, but express the hope that we will enter 2015 as kinder, gentler citizens who are prepared to give – and just for the sake of giving.
A Merry Christmas to all, and to all a bright and prosperous New Year.
