Sean Major-Campbell | Cuba’s Christmas and CARICOM’s New Year

It has been a difficult year for geopolitical dynamics and concerns around xenophobia, immigration, war, climate justice, and food security. Minorities are among the most vulnerable anywhere in the world today. Meanwhile, in Jamaica, the attendant consequences of Hurricane Melissa have seen increased traffic and heightened activity around outreach work and relocation activities.

The eventful situations of 2025 are a good predictor of the year 2026 ahead of us. While today is the first Sunday since Christmas Day, it is also the first Sunday in the Christmas season. This liturgical season lasts for 12 days, beginning on Christmas Day and closing on the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. Since the Eastern Orthodox Church observes the older Julian Calendar, Orthodox Christmas falls on January 7, in accordance with the Gregorian Calendar. The Julian Calendar is 13 days behind and hence this difference re: the date for Christmas.

Many readers of Family and Religion continue to express gratitude for the reflections while asking some very helpful questions. I will try to respond early in the new year.

Most of the questions concern the challenging subject of human sexuality. Many readers have also expressed appreciation for what they understand to be an affirmation of having humble faith that refrains from being quick to condemn others with different views and interpretations.

MARY AND JOSEPH AS NORMAL PEOPLE

I was wondering about Mary and Joseph and how they might have managed with many Christians today. Many, especially from the American Evangelical persuasion, would have taken a no-nonsense approach to Mary and Joseph. How would your church respond to an engaged couple which discovers that the woman is pregnant? And how would your church respond if a couple discovers pregnancy and declares that it is of the nature of a virginal conception?

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Imagine Mary and Joseph in a church where it is not okay to be a refugee while being black! And imagine Joseph explaining to a border patrol agent that he is only entering territory on the advice of an angel in a dream!

Mary and Joseph represent ordinary human beings. Some get pregnant while engaged. Some get pregnant before an engagement. Some get pregnant without any plans at all. Life happens. Sex happens. And yes, pregnancy happens.

Many on the religious scene, though sexually active out of wedlock, prefer not to have this conversation. They admire religious leaders who are invested in condemning women who get pregnant out of wedlock. This gives the hearers a sense of self-righteousness while leaving the religious speaker on a happily-ever-after pedestal of platitudes.

Thankfully, people are awaking to the truth that children are indeed blessings abounding in much hope, potential, possibility, and renewal for everyone. To be clear, planned families enhance the creation of more stable societies. Supportive and caring contexts best nurture children for more functional outcomes in adult life.

CHALLENGES FOR CARIBBEAN LIFE

Paradise in the sun is under threat by the powers that are positioned for battle. The reality resonates with the African proverb, “when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers”. The suffering manifests in confusion and sometimes cognitive dissonance among Caribbean leaders who are caught in the game of – What say you? Bystanders, onlookers, and commentators have the luxury of determining who should say what and how. The leaders have the lonely task of throwing opinions to fate!

CARICOM is a divided reality physically, politically, and philosophically. The chess game of diplomacy will see players motionless for a long time. Maybe CARICOM is just the chess board whose pawns are in a game whose kings, queens, rooks, and bishops are being moved at the whim and fancy of geopolitical powers!

Although not a CARICOM member, the current Cuban situation is telling. MSN reports that, “Cubans are going hungry, suffering from spreading disease and sleeping outdoors with no electricity to power fans through the sweltering nights. A quarter of the population has fled during the island’s most prolonged economic crisis. And it’s about to get worse. The US is ratcheting up pressure on Havana’s key benefactor, Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro’s regime, which has kept the Communist-ruled nation afloat with cheap oil. Now Venezuelan oil exports are at risk, thanks to a partial blockade targeting sanctioned tankers – the kind that carry about 70% of the country’s crude.”

Jesse Ramdeo of CNC3 notes, “ Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus, Professor Justin Robinson, says the steadily escalating confrontation between the United States (US) and Venezuela is moving inexorably toward a change of government in Caracas, with far-reaching implications for the Caribbean.”

The professor has been quoted as saying, “ If you cooperate with the Americans, you expose yourself to Venezuelan threats. If you decline, you risk American displeasure.”

The Christ story still offers a better way for the reign of peace and justice. The Prince of Peace still speaks to a world that has chosen selfishness, greed, and unbridled power over community, brotherhood, and peace. One of the Christmas canticles, the Magnificat, still rings true with timeless wisdom, reminding us that the proud are scattered in their conceit.

Luke 1:46-55 is instructive as it is prophetic. All world leaders would do well in receiving the reminder and the wisdom that God has cast down the mighty from their thrones and lifted the lowly. Alleluia! As night follows day and as the sun rises every morning, be sure that those swollen with arrogance and selfish pride are destined for a fall. Pray for peace.

Fr Sean Major-Campbell is an Anglican priest and advocate for human rights and dignity. Please send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and seanmajorcampbell@yahoo.com