Dear Editor,

Admittedly, it is not the best Yuletide season for the many Jamaicans who are still recovering from the battering caused by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa two months ago. A number of them are still picking up the pieces even as they anticipate a grim start to 2026.

The Christmas season is one that family and friends worldwide look forward to yearly. It is one of the few occasions that allows a break from work and school for loved ones to reunite and bond.

Truthfully, outside of wedding and graduation ceremonies, many families often come together at a thanksgiving or funeral service, which is a mournful situation. But Melissa was the grinch that sought to steal the usual joy that accompanies the festive season.

However, the indomitable and resilient spirit of Jamaicans triumphed over the thick gloom that overshadows our beloved country and the tensions that are brewing among Caribbean Community (Caricom) member states concerning a potential war between the United States and Venezuela, which is being accommodated by US ally Trinidad and Tobago.

Nevertheless, in his letter to the brethren at the Church of Thessalonica, the apostle Paul encouraged the members to “give thanks in every situation” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Applying that to our current context can be difficult, and it is definitely something that challenges our faith. How can people who have lost everything except their lives give thanks?

Well, Jamaicans always say, “Once there is life, there is hope.” It is true! It may be tough piecing the puzzle together, but it will make sense in the long run.

At church, we just wrapped up our study on the book of Job. Many Christians generally understand the essence of it. In Job 1:21, he summarised a very important principle of life: “Naked (without possessions) I came [into this world] from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” This aligns well with what is recorded in 1 Timothy 6:7, “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”

We are where we are at today. But we choose to close 2025 with a grateful heart. We are thankful for life. Every day above the ground is a privilege, and it gives us hope that things will get better. And even if everything does not improve on Earth, the Christian assurance tells us that “we have another land in view”.

We are thankful for the work of the Government, donors, churches, countries, international partners, and creatives, among others who have given of their time and resources to help rebuild our country post-Melissa.

Many thanks to the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), and Jamaica Defence Force, the National Works Agency (NWA), and other partners for the sacrifices made in the rebuilding efforts. Your work is appreciated.

The JCF should also be commended for the significant reduction in crime that the country has experienced this year. May we continue to reap the benefits of the investments made in the force.

The work does not stop at the end of this year, so let us continue to support each other in a meaningful way.

May God bless Jamaica.

Oneil Madden

Maddenoniel@yahoo.com