Jesus is the reason for the season

Gospel artistes say the rampaging COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying measures being used by governments to control its spread could cause more people to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

Rondell Positive, known for songs such as He's Worthy and Your Will Be Done, said that "Maybe this will give us an opportunity to love on each other as a family, and spend more time and enjoy the peace that the birth of Christ carried in this season."

Amid rapid surge in COVID-19 infections and deaths, governments across the world have implemented restrictive measures aimed at cauterising the spread of the disease. Among other things, mass gatherings such as parties and fetes have been outlawed, nightly curfews have been put in place, and there is a restriction on the number of persons who are allowed to be in particular spaces.

Singer Alaine, who is a Christian, noted that no one expected a tumultuous 2020 when they were making New Year's resolutions in 2019.

"The saying that this year has been challenging is the biggest understatement ever, a gross misrepresentation of what we're feeling because it can never encapsulate the range of emotions, the kind of anxieties that we have experienced this year as a result of this new normal," the singer said.

She told THE WEEKEND STAR that Christmas spirit represents "hope and redemption and the ability to know that the darkness will not last, that there is light and that light will shine and that light will always overcome the darkness".

Spirit of Hope

"So this Christmas, more than ever, I hold on to that spirit of hope, a hope which anchors us so that when the storms of life blow, we are not swayed, and oh my God, have we seen storms this year," Alaine added.

Her sentiments were echoed by Christian and stand-up comedian Ian 'Ity' Ellis.

"To me, 2020 is the most special Christmas ever because it's all about perspectives. This was the year I discovered or rediscovered the true meaning of the importance of spending time with family. Being in a community during the lockdown period was unpleasant. We felt imprisoned in our own houses for weeks but we took the time to play together and pray together. So this Christmas is a lot easier than it has ever been because we were forced to recognise the value of priceless things like quality time," Ity said.

Renowned gospel artiste Kevin Downswell also shared similar thoughts. The You Make Me Stronger singer said that this year has taught him to be grateful for small blessings, and as he celebrates the birth of Christ he is reminded of the importance of simply living.

"I believe that with the kind of year that we have had, and with the many lives lost, with the struggles we've faced and the battles we all have lost and won, I think for us to be alive today and for us to have our sanity is enough for us to have an excellent Christmas," Downswell said.

"So instead of being concerned about freedom to party, I would ask us to do one thing: look back, see what we have come through, and that should be enough for us to celebrate at home with our families this Christmas."