Traditionally, the spirit of Christmas in Jamaica, as it is worldwide, has always been one of much jollification focused mainly on occasions when families get together to wine and dine, exchange gifts, and enjoy meaningful fellowship.

But perhaps the most significant aspect of the Christmas spirit, apart from going to church, is giving and sharing, especially with respect to the less fortunate, culminating with a celebration of life.

Regrettably, each year in recent memory the Christmas season has been marred by incidents of murder and road crashes, oftentimes leading to fatalities. This year, as a result of this scenario, many people will have adopted a stay-at-home attitude (and I am one of them), fearing for their very lives based on what is happening in the wider community and on our roads. Indeed, while one may not be the target of any such fatal outcome, there is always the likelihood of collateral or peripheral damage.

As youngsters back in the day we all looked forward eagerly to Christmas Eve when we would almost literally “paint the town red”. Sam Sharpe Square (then Charles Square, also known as Parade), as well as along St James Street, was the favourite haunt for everyone, regardless of social or economic background. Indeed, it was one grand milieu of camaraderie, with everyone meeting and greeting and having fun in a relatively safe and secure environment without the presence of a state of public emergency (SOE) or the overwhelming presence of police patrols. Visiting friends and relatives from abroad would use the occasion to touch base and have a drink, while the children’s major attraction was the Christmas tree with “the moon pon tick”, a reference to the glistening star that graced the top of the tree.

The only explosions then were those firecrackers called “squibs” or there was the big “boom” and “play-play” gun. Today, all of these have been banned, so much so that if one were to hear even the slightest explosion, all and sundry would frantically run for their lives for fear of being shot and killed. Needless to say, the only thing we feared back then was coming into contact with a “duppy”, or even worse, a rolling calf or “three-foot horse”. But no gunman!

In today’s Jamaica the word “duppy” is now associated with and used by unconscionable gunmen and “gunboys” who boast about “making a duppy” after they have killed someone by the bullet.

On Wednesday afternoon a most brazen and dastardly shooting took place on the grounds of the Hopewell High School where the 35-year-old bursar of that institution, Jermaine Roberts, was made into a “duppy” by a lone gunman who approached him as he was about to enter his car and fired shots, killing him on the spot. Ironically, it was in the nearby Hopewell Square several years ago during a Jamaica Labour Party political rally that then Opposition Leader Andrew Holness assured his audience that if the people were to return him and his party to power they would be able to sleep with their doors and windows open, or words to that effect.

Since then, seemingly bereft of any effective and sustainable crime plan, Prime Minister Holness has resorted to using the SOE as a major crime-fighting tool. At the time of that fatal shooting at Hopewell High School the parish was, in fact, going through the throes of yet another SOE! Between last Monday and Friday there were two killings which brought the murder tally in that parish to 70 since the start of the year, 26 more than the 44 recorded for the same period last year, making it a 56 per cent increase in homicides. We should all mourn with the staff and students of that institution as they grapple with this barefaced act of violence.

Of course, even as we focus on the Christmas spirit there is that matter of the “spirits”, which sees many Jamaicans, young and old, “drinking rum ’til dem tumble dung” — well, not in all cases. However, seriously, it is that time of year when excessive imbibing of alcoholic beverages takes place. The danger is that many of these liquor drinkers will be operating motor vehicles so there is always the likelihood that in a moment of reckless daredevil speeding and overtaking, brought about by their state of inebriation, they could cause horrendous crashes, ultimately causing deaths or, as some would say, the making of more “duppies”.

Already, most Jamaicans will agree that driving on the nation’s roads is akin to running the gauntlet, and most of us say a prayer for guidance when we hit the road and another prayer of thanksgiving when we reach back home safely because of the gross indiscipline and carelessness we encounter on a daily basis, especially as practised by taxi and minibus operators.

Again, driving under the influence of alcohol or, even worse, emboldened by several draws on a ganja spliff can spell real trouble for unsuspecting motorists, passengers, and pedestrians. Let us hope that the police will be out in their numbers to monitor this volatile situation even while we urge our drivers to practise reasonable caution, including having a designated driver when partying on the town.

Even as we bemoan this unfortunate state of affairs, it must be noted that for many Jamaicans there is no longer that true Christmas spirit of yore when there was indeed sufficient peace on Earth and goodwill to all. In fact, in speaking with many Jamaicans one gets the usual response of, “I don’t feel the Christmas spirit anymore so I am just going to stay home and take it easy.” Oh, for the good old-time Christmas spirit which many unconscionable Jamaicans have now made into a “duppy”!

As an aside, it is to be noted that almost every Christmas season there are fires which destroy homes and business places. One tragic aspect to this is when irresponsible and seemingly uncaring parents or relatives leave young children at home by themselves to go partying or attend stage shows. Let us hope that there will be no such incidents this year, because it is bad enough when adults are made into duppies because of these fires but even more horrible when little children’s lives are unnecessarily lost.

It is the season to be jolly, but let us not descend into folly.

Most importantly, let us remind ourselves of the true meaning of Christmas — a time when love should rule the world, a time of joy, a time for reflection, and a time to do what is right. I wish for all my readers a blessed, safe, and enjoyable festive season.

Lloyd B Smith has been involved in Jamaican media for the past 48 years. He has served as a Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He hails from western Jamaica where he is popularly known as the Governor. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or lbsmith4@gmail.com.