I am a gift giving excited Christmas lover. I just absolutely love Christmas. I love the spirit of Christmas, the emphasis on the Christ child and the baby who came to this earth over two thousand years ago.
I tried to give the appropriate gift while staying within budget. Books always work for me, as it’s easier to find a books to suit most individuals.
Today, I wish to write myself a gift list that’s appropriate for our culture and our present circumstances. On the top of my gift list is a special prayer for the peace and continual stability of this wonderful country.
For a significant return to God and the Christian values on which this country was built. I write this gift list against the background of a recent disturbing story in the daily paper. This story is about the alleged abuse of a 4-year-old boy conducting as a public service vehicle.
I was asked to watch this video on mute as it was filled with much profanity; some dished out and by the father and by the kid himself. Subsequent to this story I read an article in the Nation newspaper where Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes is calling for the mandatory parenting classes for all parents. I concur wholeheartedly. Too many parents are raising up Cains with no values, no morals.
I was touched by a short video on the call for old time values and morals by Honourable M.P. Mr. Ralph Thorne S. C. He spoke on our culture and emphasized that “Righteousness exalts a Nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” “Somebody must stand up in this country and address the culture that is in decay.” That was in 2022 and our culture has sunk to a much lower level today.
Next on my gift list, is a plan for or positive cultural development that strengthens and endorses, morals and the highest values for the upliftment and development of our youth. There are still some things that I have seen perpetuated as we culture in recent years that must not be allowed to continue. These kinds of behaviours, wuck up, whining down behind de truck and youngsters just out of diapers wucking up on big adults, with parents cheering them on. This is a “decayed culture”.
On my gift list there must be the unity of the church in Barbados. It is crucial that the church becomes unified sooner rather than later.
There must be a call for the National Cultural Foundation to retract on the cancellation of the applicant’s presentation from the Praise Academy of Dance and give us a clear public explanation as to the reason for the rejection in the first place. This entrant was expressing her rights to free speech as protected by the constitution. She spoke the truth as it relates to the male and female genders as God has intended it to be.
And finally, I wish that 2024 would be a great year of blessings and great things for our country and its people. That our economy will continue to grow and our political leaders and MP’s will put country first and allow the Lord to be their guide and director.
A blessed Christmas and all of God’s best for 2024.
Rev. Lucille Baird, Mount Zion Missions
