Christmas Traditions in Barbados

Gospel Globe had the opportunity of meeting up with a very passionate and patriotic Bajan just before he left Trinidad for Christmas. John Yarde the singer of the popular song RIP – Revival is Possible which was produced by Audiation Studios in Barbados is currently a student at Caribbean Nazarene College in Trinidad. John’s facial expressions and body language during his sit down with GG showed his elation to return home for Christmas. His eyes lit up and a smile was on his face as he reminisced about his Christmas experience in his beloved home country Barbados.

GG: What is the most memorable thing about Christmas growing up in a Christian home (or not) in your country?

John: "I hated waking up so early for church and because my pops is the pastor and mom usually lead worship, at the big services my brother and I had to be there early. When I was younger I loved going by the older women after Christmas morning service because they had lots of food, they gave my brother and I gifts and we played with their children. I loved preparing the house for the family dinner where my family and I would all have Christmas dinner together.

"My most memorable Christmas was in 2008 I spent my Christmas in Haiti on a missionary trip, the group was called Team Hope. We worked with restoration ministries, and the community we were in is called Jacmel. The Christmas week we helped to build a house, hand out gifts and food, did sessions with the children and a crusade.

"Seeing people who couldn’t afford the lights and the ham and the things we associate with Christmas enjoy each other’s company and celebrating Jesus was a great experience."

GG: What's a typical Christmas day like (with family and friends etc)?

John: "I wake up at 4am to get ready for 5am church service, and then the youth department would go to my house for breakfast, juice, ham, sweet bread and cake. After every one dresses up and walk around Queens Park, people get pictures taken, others catch up with friends they haven’t seen for a while while others just hang out.

"There is a Christmas concert and the Police band among other bands perform. My family started going out for lunch last year after which we head to Queens Park."

GG: Where did you learn about Christmas really?

John: "I learnt about Christmas in church, they taught us in Sunday school about the true meaning of Christmas and I also learnt from the music my parents played, the songs had the Christmas message in it."

GG: What are the typical foods you eat on Christmas day?

John: "Typical Bajan menu looks like Macaroni pie, stew lamb, bake chicken, bake pork, turkey, rice and peas, sweet potato pie, stuffing, potato salad , coleslaw, macaroni salad, black cake, plain cake, ice cream, sorrel, ginger beer and malt."

Written by :

Star India

 

Features - People