Let's me quote a bit of Daryl's opinion first - taken from his Facebook Wall.
Daryl Evelyn
don't get it twisted, thank Aunty Grace I was brought up a catholic, but I am not a religious person, become too realistic, seen too much shit, anyways, all I see every year is decorations, sales, discounts, parties, santas, commercials, all these people singin and dancin, gettin drunk, spending money, giving gifts hoping to get one in return, all that kinda stuff! Maybe I work strange hours but why is it everytime I walk past a church, (and I do that 2 a day everyday) it always empty? Nobody prayin, nobody singin, nobody cryin, nobody gettin heal...
28 November at 10:39
Daryl Evelyn
I went to confirmation class on the promenade, communion, the whole 9! So doh even start! How the hell u could go the whole year without stepping one blasted foot in a church and suddenly is Christmas time and all at once u turn into a saint!! What u know bout Christmas??? Damn hypocrites!
I agree with you 100%.
A great example comes to mind - I asked a few girls in my office if they wanted to go around carolling in Bristol and raise some money for a children's charity in the area. Only one person said she would come.
Why? Because everyone else wants to shop, drink, get presents etc.
But what are we celebrating?
Brought up a Catholic, I know the answer. But I am not going to preach here.
Rather, I am going to say what Christmas means to me.
Now, as Christmas draws near, the first thing that comes to mind is that it is my fourteenth (14th ) Xmas with Sean at my side and my second since we had Clark.
Then I think of our first Xmas together back in 1996 and then I reflect how lucky we are to still be together and to have Clark.
I don't go to church every Sunday but I do thank God for each day as soon as I open my eyes and I have made the odd appearance at Sunday mass.
This Christmas, things will be quiet for me. Not going home to Trinidad. Just moved to a new town where I know not one person other than my colleagues at work. So it will be quiet. Probably won't get any presents other than form Sean, Clark and Tamika.
But I am still excited. Because I have a lot to be thankful for.
And to me that is what Christmas is. A time to be grateful. Grateful for all that we have and the lessons learned.
I have my Xmas party for work on Wednesday. And I have to wear a dress. HATE!
Everyone's going to be there and drunk or coked off of their heads.
As a company, couldn't we have given that money to a children's hospital or something. Waste of time and money, if you ask me.
But Daryl you're right - some people don't believe in the tenets that support the birth of Jesus Christ. And that's okay. But don't pretend.
Don't just go to church for one day.
Makes no sense. Just get drunk and eat yuh belly full. Go round to some friends house. Give and get presents. And enjoy the break from work.
Leave the pews in church for those who really want to go. Not people who are going because they think they should. Don't let the guilt that propelled you to sin throughout the year, make you get up early on Xmas morning and go to church.
Instead put that effort into being a better person or just being true to who you are. If you are happy with who you are and what you have done - no need for guilt. No need for that once a year dip into church searching for some sort of nod from God that he has has you on some waiting list for heaven.
Don't exalt him on one day and forget about him for the other 364.
Either treat him right throughout the year or not at all.
Well said, Mighty Eng!
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