The Tribune

By PASTOR REX

MAJOR

It was exactly 40 years ago that the clear indication was given to Members of Parliament sitting in the House of Assembly that the matter of independence for the Bahamas was a settled issue.

It was on October 18, 1972 that Prime Minister Lynden O. Pindling made a presentation to Parliament under the theme “Independence For The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”

In his speech the Prime Minister said: “The indisputable fact is, however, that the general election (of 1972) has demonstrated an overwhelming and unreserved support by the great majority of the Bahamian people for the conviction that independence is necessary and desirable now for reasons which affect both national development and international relations. Above all, independence will enable the Bahamian people to find their true identity and to establish that freedom towards which all men aspire and to which all are entitled.”

The Prime Minister further said: “It is the intention of the government of the Bahama islands that the independence constitution will be the supreme law of the Commonwealth of the Bahama Islands and that it will be based on ideals of democracy, freedom, Christianity and the rule of law, all of which are already well established in these Islands.”

And so it became manifestly accepted that one of the four foundational pillars upon which the new nation would be established was Christianity. Note well, its essential positioning.

As we approach the 40th anniversary of the Bahamas, and as a part of the celebration, a discussion of possible constitutional reform is in the mix. Let not the initial intention of the true identity of the Bahamas be forgotten.

How wonderful it was that after two thousand years, since Jesus Christ made his entrance into human history that the purpose of his mission had succeeded so well that his name greatly impacted the Bahamas.

Indeed, during the early days of his birth, many voices declared his unique mission for human history, acknowledging the “all people” mission of the Babe of Bethlehem

On the night of his birth the angel proclaimed to a very terrified group of ordinary shepherds in the open fields that the newborn babe they would find in swathing clothes, lying in a manger, in nearby Bethlehem would eventually bring joy to all people.

When mother Mary came from Nazareth to the temple in Jerusalem some weeks later for her purification rites, as well as to present officially her first born male child to the lord, as was required for a devout Jew, a man named Simeon also came in the temple at the very same time led by the holy spirit.

Upon seeing this unique child he prophesied that he would be a saviour for all people, and he specifically pinpointed that he would extend God’s light beyond the sphere of the chosen people of Israel. His light would bring the true insight of God to the gentiles as well.

How pleasing to God it must have been to hear and see the little nation of the Bahamas, comprised mainly of gentiles, placing the benefits of his son’s mission, as an essentially foundational ingredient in its national development.

And ever further to see and hear Bahamians enshrine its importance as reflected in the words of the constitution, which states: “Whereas four hundred and eighty-one years ago the rediscovery of this family of islands, rocks and cays heralded the rebirth of the new world; And whereas the people of this family of Islands recognize that the preservation of their freedom will be guaranteed by a national commitment to self-discipline, industry, loyalty, unity and an abiding respect for Christian values and the rule of law”.

Surely, at this stage in our nation’s history, we dare not cheapen or divert the urgent imperative and intent of our lord’s holy and redeeming mission for man’s full recovery and eternal blessing. We dare not now in our national development substitute it merely to gain some added political mileage, or offer endorsement, legitimacy to and facilitation for the base, human greed and other pursuits of instant self-gratification and pleasurable pursuits from which our lord came to deliver us.

Instead let us then, during this season when as a people we turn our attention to a renewed recognition of this great event in human history, find a fresh cause also to recommit to this same lord Jesus Christ, whose high and noble ideals for our national life, the expressions of which, we have so boldly adopted to be our true intention.

May it be so for every true Bahamian. Have a Christ – centred Christmas.