Carribbean Christmas

By Sherma-Jacqueline Felix

Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year.  It was my mummy’s favorite time as well!  When I was a little girl growing up in Trinidad, Christmas at our house meant that my sister and I got busy putting up our Christmas tree, varnishing the hardwood floors, putting up the new curtains, and painting the kitchen floor.  To this day, every time I smell paint, I immediately think about Christmas in Trinidad.

The only time we had what was considered “American fruit” was at Christmas time.  Back then, it was the only time that we could find apples, pears and grapes at the grocery store, and sold on the street corners.  That was very exciting for a little girl who didn’t have “American fruit” year round.  We were accustomed to mangoes, avocados and plums in abundance!  When I moved to the USA and had to actually go to a grocery store, and pay with money for avocados and mangoes I just about had a fit!We never were too concerned about gifts back then, although we gave them and we received them as well.  The main concern was that the house had to be ready and food prepared.  It seemed like my mummy fed the whole neighborhood!  My uncle would have his friends over to our house, and they would eat, drink, and make merry.  They drank and sang and danced.  Very Merry!  I would always look forward to the big, fat ham that my mummy baked every year, and the punch-a-creme (eggnog) that she made from scratch.

As I got older and moved to the USA, when the Christmas season began, my first Christmas tree went up in time for Halloween.  Christmas trees, Christmas music, gifts under the tree, holiday parties, and over eating became for me all a part of how I celebrated Christmas.  Today, gifts are still not a big thing with me.

What’s big with me during the Christmas season, is the same thing that is big with me at any given time during the year: I want people to know that God is good.  I want them to know that Jesus loves them.  I want people to know that heaven and hell are both real!  I am almost obsessed with getting the word out about building a relationship with a loving God, learning how to pray, receiving answers to prayer, and living a life filled with days of heaven on earth.  It is my life’s mission and it is what drives me.

So, while we sit back with family members this Christmas, enjoying the eggnog and opening our gifts, let us also be more aware of giving THE GIFT OF KNOWING JESUS to those who have never heard and don’t believe.  He’s not a God Who is mad with them, He is full of love!  It’s our responsibility to share His love with others, so let’s share it as we have a very Merry Christmas!

 

Picture courtesy: colourmesunshine.blogspot.com
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© Sherma-Jacqueline Felix. All rights reserved.

 

About the author:

Sherma-Jacqueline is a Bible Teacher, Conference Speaker, Mentor, and Passionate Writer.  She has always enjoyed writing, and started off by keeping a diary in her teens.  She began prayer journaling over 18 years ago and began teaching on Prayer 11 years ago.  Her desire is to see the women of God rise up and be all that they’re called to be: Bold, Strong, Courageous and overflowing with His Word!

Visit her at: shermajacqueline.tumblr.com