GAWU 2007 Christmas Message

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) joins heartly with the Guyanese Christian community as they celebrate the Birth of the Messiah of their Faith.

GAWU recognizes the multi-religious diversity of the society and whilst not emphasizing the religious perspective of the Festival of Christmas, the Union could not but appreciate the pervasive outreach of this now national observance. None can deny that this celebration now touches all races, cultural groups, even other religious persuasion.

Most Guyanese today find reasons to be a part of the Christmas observance, whether Christian adherent participant in the Nativity or Hindu or Muslim just refurbishing for the year-end, Christmas, even if sometimes too commercialized tends to envelope us all. This includes hundreds of GAWU members.

Christians believe that the Christ Child was Biblical prophecy fulfilled and the Word made Flesh. That was their Greatest Gift, later the supreme sacrifice, one who would die for all the sins of sinners. Hope now springs eternal in many believers’ breasts. Just within this past week the Muslims observed their Eid-Ul-Adha anniversary of sacrifice, compassion and charity. What great and desirable values to observe and to celebrate! So blessed we are to be a multi-religious national community.

GAWU has also noted observations that the story of the Birth of Christ also symbolizes how the poor and dispossessed can be turned away, rejected because of their condition; how the rich and powerful can be accommodated. However, that the Child was born in the humble surroundings of the ordinary people provides Christian – and all like-minded mankind – with Hope. And Guyana needs hope to motivate plans, action, participation and progress.

The Christmas spirit does just that. It is the union’s own hope that Christmas 2007 is celebrated in security, good cheer to all Guyanese and with the happiness and goodwill that must welcome the new year of 2008.

Merry Christmas and a Peaceful Progressive New Year from GAWU.