Christmas, Christmas-eve is in two days and 2025 New Year is right after, so which is the merriest of celebrations of them both?
As we stand on the cusp of Christmas 2024, with New Year’s 2025 soon to follow, the recurring debate over which celebration brings more joy continues to intrigue Haiti at a time when most people cannot reconcile themselves to the time when Christmas in Haiti was once something to look forward to. While both holidays have their unique significance, one is the anticipation of Papa Noël, the other New Year as Haiti’s Independence Day, celebrating the inevitable triumph of Haitians over the French in 1804.
The Christmas spirit is usually represented by the big box stores, which are currently experiencing their annual peak of activity, with shelves full to the brim and cash registers ringing more frequently than usual. However, this commercialization does not extend to the true spirit of Christmas on a global scale. If we take into account the indirect anti-spenders, the emphasis remains on the intangible aspects of these celebrations that a country like Haiti, whose economy has been under threat since the Duvalierist era in 1985, has brought to the fore. While parasitic forces have really manifested themselves as if Haiti’s life were a movie, which would be better to portray these parasites as “Pirates of the Caribbean.” In any case, we remain in a lighter spirit, the spirit of the holidays, of which a socio-political and economic conversation does not have to begin here in this recognition of Christmas.
Our editorial team notes that while businesses make significant profits during this time, the essence of these celebrations extends far beyond monetary transactions. The true value lies in the traditions and connections we forge with the idea that we maintain and nurture as victors. Victors of human rights, victors of the model of valuing our community by changing the history that we know, embrace and begin to live in Haiti. This Christmas is a gift of action to rethink, re-reflect, join forces for a harmonious way of life that thrives in respect for human life and the promotion of a diplomacy of a great philosophical approach that brings the country back to its essence and from production to the reconstruction of Haiti.
Christmas rituals and New Year greetings, as we approach 2025, we already hear the familiar refrains: “2025 will be the year” and “2025 will be the year I keep all my resolutions.” While these statements of intent are admirable, our editorial stance suggests aiming higher than mere wishful thinking. As we speak specifically to Haitians, whether you are in Haiti right now or living outside of Haiti as a diaspora, the transition from Christmas to New Year presents an ideal opportunity to gather reflection and a genuine commitment to personal growth and a thoughtful reframing of the admirable and honorable story that is Haitian history.
As we look ahead and celebrate these final days of 2024, let’s remember that Christmas and independence are a time to reconnect with our roots and grow patriotically. Whether you don’t have plans to unwrap presents under the Christmas tree or count down the days until midnight on New Year’s Eve, these moments are more precious than participating in anything more meaningful than celebrating Haitian Independence Day.
Discussion about this post