Keisha Shakespeare, Staff Reporter
( L - R ) MAITLAND, WILLIAMS AND TAYLOR
DECEMBER 25 is the most important day on the Christian calendar as it commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Consequently, persons who are born on this day are celebrated by their families. At birth, Christmas day babies are usually showered with gifts just as the baby Jesus was by the three wise men.
As recounted in the Bible in the book of Matthew, "On coming to the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped Him. Then they presented Him with gifts of gold, fankincense and myrrh."
Every year, The Gleaner carries photographs of mothers and their Christmas day babies, but have you ever wondered what happens to them after the excitement dies down? Flair caught up with some other Christmas babies to find out what path their lives have taken.
MARK MAITLAND:
People in his community thought his birthday was a blessing and believe he is very special because of it.
Mark Maitland, 23, was born on December 25, 1981. He is the only member of his family to be born on this day. Mr. Maitland said while he was a child living in Tweedside, Clarendon his friends and people from the community were usually excited about his birthday as he shared the same birthday as Jesus. However, he thought the best part of being born on this day was the gifts.
Mr. Maitland is still overjoyed that he celebrates his birthday on the 25th. "I love having my birthday on Christmas day because I receive a lot of gifts. When I was younger I got one big gift. But now that I am older and have many friends, I get lots of gifts."
He likes the joy of receiving lots of gifts without having to give any in return. " I don't buy gifts for anyone except if I have a pixie at work. I just tell people that I don't buy gifts for others on my birthday."
Currently, Mr. Maitland is a teller at the Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (RBTT) and a part- time student at the University of Technology in St. Andrew.
DAVE NOEL WILLIAMS:
His middle name is a reflection of his birthday. His mother thought it was fitting because of the day on which he was born.
Dave Noel Williams was born on December 25, 1974. In fact, he said his mother, Arlene Watson told him that on his birthday the hospital gave her lots of gifts. Mr. Williams said he loves the fact that he was born on Christmas day.
As a youngster growing up in Polly Ground, Ewarton, people from the community used to say, "You're like Jesus". Others said, You're very special," and some said he must have been a gift to his mother.
He added that when some people find out his birthday they make remarks such as, "Your mother must have been in labour very long." But he responds: "No I just popped out like a present." Mr. Williams said that because people doubt that his birthday is on December 25, he has to show them his birth certificate to prove it.
Mr. Williams told Flair that when he was a boy people were very cruel to him. They gave him one gift and told him it is for your birthday and Christmas. "If they try that with me now I will rebel."
For Mr. Williams, who is currently a social worker at the Victim Support Unit in Kingston, Christmas gives him great joy. He believes that it is a time for sharing with family and friends. And he cherishes the fact that his birthday falls on Christmas day. In fact, he hopes that when he becomes a father, his child will also be born on Christmas day.
LEONIE TAYLOR:
She believes it's a privilege to be born on December 25 because that's the day Jesus was born.
Leonie Taylor, 32, said she is happy she was born on Christmas day though being born on this day has its drawbacks. From childhood she only got one gift for both her birthday and Christmas.
She added that the significance of being born on this day has dwindled somewhat because she now has a child. "My attention is now my child but some excitement lingers because I am excited at this time of the year."
Miss Taylor told Flair that people used to and still do say things like, '"You are so lucky to be born on Christmas day;" or, "You must be blessed."
"In fact, I do feel blessed and special because it's not many people who are born on Christmas day."
For her, the best time of the year is the Christmas season. "Whenever Christmas approaches I feel happy. There is just something about Christmas; it brings people and family together."
Miss Taylor is now a teacher at the Alvernia Preparatory School in St. Andrew.
