For Bajans It’s Two

 

 

Twelve days of Christmas

But for Bajans it’s two,

Christmas Day and its extension

Is the major view.

 

Christmas Day is gone

And so is Boxing Day,

Christmas Day and its extension

Has now passed away.

 

Boxing Day as we know

Is Christmas bank holiday

And is celebrated as Christmas

In much the same way.

 

Back in those days

When there were slaves

Boxing Day was their Christmas

And not Christmas Day.

 

 

 

Massa and his family

Celebrated on Day #1

While the leftovers were boxed

And later passed on.

 

Given to the slaves

For them to enjoy:

House slaves, field slaves and others;

All in Massa’s employ.

 

Thus, a clear example

Of the rich man’s table,

On Boxing Day, the poor received

A plenteous sample.

 

Christmas Day #2,

This day has gone also,

We turn our gaze on Old Year’s

For the final show.

 

Watching in the New

In worship or in revelry:

Giving praise and thanks to God

Or making merry.

 

 

 

No 12 days of Christmas

For Bajans, only two,

The Christmas songs will continue,

Christmas, we bid adieu.

 

Christmas lights we’ll see

Up until January 6;

A residual reminder of Christmas

Then they’ll be unfixed.

 

Taken down and stored

Till December next year

When we’ll set them up and wait

For Christmas to appear.

 

Meanwhile, this Christmas

Has now gone away:

Not twelve days but Bajans’ two

Until next year!

 

Stewart Russell © December 27, 2025

 

Except the Days be Shortened

 

 

What does this really mean?

I am not even sure I know,

I know what I have been taught

But that was long ago.

 

A time to come in the future

That is the belief of some:

That this refers to a time to come

Before the return of God’s Son.

 

Others believe it has passed

Way back in New Testament times

And I dare say many today

Are with this view inclined.

 

Whether the former or latter

I am not here concerned

But rather, the fleeting of time

My attention to this is turned.

 

Is 24 hours still a day?

Or has one or two been removed?

The days are flying so fast

It’s difficult to stay in groove.

 

Like a train being derailed

And skidding off the track

And carrying with it its many cars

For yards and yards going back.

 

We just celebrated Christmas

No, not this one, the one before,

And before we could settle down

We have celebrated one more.

 

Christmas comes but once a year

Use to be a popular rhyme

But maybe, it is has become twice

Given the passage of time.

 

 

Another year is almost ended

With just five hours to go,

And no doubt last year this time

Many were saying so.

 

Whether the days are shortened

I cannot really tell

But what I know for a certain fact

Things are happening pell-mell.

 

With undue hurry and confusion

I can scarcely keep apace

But this one thing I intend to do

Is to focus on the Saviour’s face.

 

To trust him in spite of outcomes

Or however precarious the times

And to know with full assurance

I am his and he is mine.

 

 

Join me as we traverse 2022

Keeping our trust in God

While standing firm and resolute

Regardless of who may fall.

 

A Blessed New Year to all!

 

Stewart Russell © December 31, 2021

 

It’s Gone! It’s Coming!

 

It’s gone!  It’s gone!

Christmas Day is gone,

With that there’s a new focus

As the New Year dawns.

 

Old Year’s night is nigh

And the Bajan spirit is high

But there are still protocols

And so, we must comply.

 

COVID is under control,

It at least appears that way

And as we celebrate, I pray,

From this we do not sway.

 

But besides COVID-19

Something else is in the air,

It’s election time in Barbados

The PM has made this clear.

 

January 19 is the date

With Nomination Day the 3^rd,

By now every single Barbadian

Should have already heard.

 

 

Many have been caught

With pants below the waste,

Some will view this suddenness

With nothing but distaste.

 

The reality is, However,

Barbadians must decide

Whether to retain the Government

Or on a new rely.

 

Whatever the people decide

The PM will give her support,

This is in essence what she said

According to a news report.

 

So, it’s gone!  It’s gone!

Christmas Day is gone,

And before its after-effects settles

An election day will dawn.

 

Do enjoy Old Year’s night

And do so with common sense,

At church or otherwise

Do not be an offense!

 

Maintain the protocols

Do not let your guard slip,

So that contrary to popular opinion

COVID will soon be licked.

 

Christmas Day is gone

And New Year’s Day is near

But on the horizon of Barbados

Election Day appears.

 

Stewart Russell (9) December 28, 2021