December 25 remains the date when Christian faithful all over the world commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is a day of happiness, jubilation and a period when families, friends and well- wishers express gratitude to God. It is a day of visitation to loved ones. It is a period when Christians travel far and near across the globe to celebrate.
Unfortunately, the 2020 Christmas came when the world is battling a lot of challenges, especially the COVID-19 pandemic which has weakened the world’s economy and made life difficult for many. It came along with the “new normal”. People are no longer surprised to see their colleagues with facemasks. They are now used to observing physical distancing in public places.
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In Africa, particularly in Nigeria, it also brought a hike in prices of foodstuff, leaving the vulnerable with little or no food.
Incessant killings, kidnapping, armed robbery, farmers/herdsmen clashes have also taken centre stage and people are afraid of losing their lives or property. Unfortunately, the 11-year-old Boko Haram insurgency has consumed at least 36,000 people and displaced two million.
Only God knows the amount of money that has been channeled through security tubes in the name of purchasing arms for security personnel, yet people are dying like cockroaches.
It was in the mid of these bleak conditions that Christians celebrated the 2020 Christmas in Nigeria, which prides itself as “The Giant of Africa.”
What is worth celebrating for Leah Sharibu’s parents when they remember that their daughter has been in the custody of Boko Haram for more than two years? How would the families of Christians massacred at Zabarmari celebrate Christmas in the absence of their children, husbands or sons? How safe are the Christians who managed to celebrate Christmas in 2020?
This is not the country we used to know. This is not the kind of Christmas we yearn to celebrate.
The Christmas we knew was the one where Christians dined, expressed happiness and shared merriment with loved ones peacefully and harmoniously.
Muhammad Rabiu Jibrin wrote from Gombe.
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