December’s music has set the stage for a Christmas of joy and reflection. The month started with a soaring concert by the National Chorale of Jamaica (NCOJ), headlined by Messiah, so powerfully sung that there were goosebumps and teary eyes.

In his welcome, NCOJ Chair Christopher Samuda noted, “The National Chorale of Jamaica has awakened George Frideric Handel from centuries of peaceful rest in greeting you with his Messiah, a poignant reminder that the cradled birth of the Son of Man heralded His triumph ultimately over the grave.” Conducted by founding member Winston Ewart, we enjoyed a programme that was also light-hearted and offered Jamaican compositions.

At our CCRP Christmas events in Kingston and Mandeville, at which we carolled lustily and shared laughter and good fare, members brought gifts for needy elders, which were distributed to several charities. At the Associates of the Sisters of Mercy celebration we discovered hidden talents, led by NCOJ soprano Velia Espeut, and decided that next Christmas we will go carolling.

Dancing was the highlight at the International Women’s Forum (IWF) Jamaica Chapter celebrations — those top professionals can cut a rug! Our Business and Professional Women’s Club also enjoyed a lively lunch and brought donations for the Thrift Shop at the Louis Grant Centre (formerly the Foundation for International Self-Help (FISH) clinic).

Another highlight was the Christmas concert by the students of Tessanne Chin’s Voice Box at the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium last Sunday. This brought back memories of the Radio City Christmas Show — the youngsters danced and sang in professional unison. Guest stars Sevana, Kevin Downswell and Gramps Morgan had members of the audience on their feet. Chin is paying forward her success; these young people will take the talent and discipline they have developed into productive adulthood.

We also had mellow Sunday evenings enjoying Television Jamaica’s (TVJ) All Together Sing and congratulate winner Dinthill High School and runner-up Central High School. These schools may not be regarded as A-listers, but their performances show that their coaches brought out A-class talent, leaving us to hope that they will have similar guidance with their academics.

Our Stella Maris Christmas lights are attracting admiring views, one lady commenting that she will enjoy that tree rather than having one at home, to save on her electricity bill. More Christmas lights are popping up and I consider them exclamation points for the biggest news of all times — the birth of the Christ Child.

Christmas Vibes

There are conflicting reports on Christmas shopping. We hear that money is short and customers are scarce downtown, yet the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) had to put in new traffic directions on Red Hills Road because of the line-up of vehicles heading to PriceSmart. In Portmore there were long lines ahead of opening time.

My friend Dave Rodney who was visiting for the Opening of the Princess Hotel in Hanover and the Jamaica Tourist Board launch of the tourism winter season was fascinated by the Kingston nightlife, where restaurants are so packed that parking is at a premium. By the way, today is his birthday, so ‘big up’ to my brilliant brother-friend.

The traffic has been unbelievable as well as the continued dangerous driving, with taxis switching lanes, creating crazy lanes, and putting their passengers in danger. Again, we hear complaints about the economy, but I have never seen before so many high-end vehicles. My theory is that the $4 billion injected by Government into public sector wages have made this a Merry Christmas for many.

I have heard that not only immigrants but also African Americans are seeking to leave the US for other countries. With Jamaica being only a hop away, we may be seeing visitors who are taking a close look at Jamaica. Rodney commented that what he has been seeing here is a far different Jamaica than the negative headlines on the Internet. To paraphrase Psalm 118:22: The stone that the builder rejected may become the cornerstone.

Paula Llewellyn back as DPP

We have been following Jamaica Observer’s Alicia Dunkley-Willis’s reports on the decision of the Court of Appeal “that cleared the way for Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn to remain in office until she is 65 years of age… Furthermore the panel disagreed with the stance of the Constitutional Court that such an extension would require agreement between the prime minister and the Opposition leader.”

Dunkley-Willis quoted Justice Minister Delroy Chuck: “It further means that the DPP, Ms Paula Llewellyn, who has been out of office, pending this decision, can now resume her office at the earliest possible time. The Government is quite happy that the legislation, which was attacked by the parliamentary Opposition as being unconstitutional, has been finally settled as being valid and constitutional. The Government expects that this will be the end of the matter.”

We were puzzled at the ruling of the Constitutional Court in April, refusing the extension of Llewellyn’s contract to the age of 65, the accepted retirement age for both the public and private sector. Now the country can continue to benefit from DPP Llewellyn’s strong and erudite leadership. She is a national treasure.

Media in Mourning

There we were in November, heartily applauding The Gleaner’s court reporter Barbara Gayle when she received the Veteran’s Award from the Press Association of Jamaica. As she lined up with fellow honourees, they towered over her slight figure. There were hugs and handshakes all around and expressions of admiration for this dedicated veteran.

Imagine the shock when we heard of her death at the hands of a brutal murderer. This was made even more poignant when closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showed her handing the man a glass of water and quoting the Bible to him. Now there are reports that the alleged murderer assisted a gardener at Caymanas Estate where Barbara lived. The man he worked with is quoted as saying that the criminal made off with money that belonged to him.

The anguish felt by her co-workers and former mentees is heartbreaking. Journalist Rodney Campbell wrote on X: “If you knew Barbara Gayle the way I did (she called me “the roving rebel”) …she was like the great Carl Wint…a teacher who always made the time to impart knowledge, aid with links/sources, an excellent writer in complete detail.”

Franklin McKnight, who was Gayle’s editor 40 years ago, said on his Frankly Speaking podcast dedicated to his colleague: “It is difficult to find a nicer, gentler woman not given to ‘kas-kas’ and fussing or cruelty, always with that genuine smile.”

He continued: “She knew more about court proceedings than most of us. She knew the jargon and the court officers and yet she never took offence at questions an editor might ask. She was no prima donna, though she might well have been. She was meticulous about getting it right… Barbara Gayle had contacts for everybody who was anybody in the justice system. She had reach and clout. Barbara Gayle was respected and respectable.”

Our deepest sympathy to Barbara’s family and friends. May her soul rest in peace.

Jean Lowrie-Chin is an author, communications expert, and seniors’ advocate. Send comments to lowriechin@aim.com.