Today is Christmas, the day set aside by Christians all over the world for the religious celebration of the birth of their saviour Jesus Christ. This season, churches held special services up till this morning.
Indeed, Christmas is one of two Christian holidays that are universally celebrated; this one for the virgin birth of Jesus in the manger, and the other, Easter, is for Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Of the two, Christmas has become far more broad-based.
This is because whether you are a Christian or not, it is impossible to turn on the television, enter a major shopping area or mall, or even drive down any major street without being reminded of the Christmas season.
It is such that many decide to join in the fun, without sharing in the reverence of the day.
For many, Christmas is a celebration of peace, joy, happiness, and solidarity. It is also a time of reunion, a time to forge new relationships and deepen existing ones, a time for marriages and weddings, a time for funerals and remembrances, a time for key family, kindred, village and town gatherings, and a time for programmes and projects to develop both the church and society.
Some families have plenty and can afford colourfully wrapped packages while those who have less survive through the generosity of neighbours and strangers to make the day special.
The spectacular thing about the season is that it is also time for families and friends to reunite, for giving, receiving, and celebrating the goodness of life during the year’s darkest days.
But for some, Christmas is a time of sorrow as they don’t have the money to buy presents or food for their children, family, and friends. Many are also sad when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons.
Yet, what is celebrated is that God gave the greatest gift to man through Jesus as He became man to redeem the world out of His love. Therefore, it is a time to heal wounds with neighbours and those we have wronged and forgive those who have wronged us. It is a time to rekindle a new life. It is a time to put a smile on someone.
Many Christians have been rightfully concerned that the solemn meaning of the day is getting lost in the consumerism that has come to define the season.
Whatever the situation, the true meaning of Christmas must never be lost in the hearts of believers, that this is a celebration of joy and eternal hope for a better tomorrow.
This is time for Nigerians to again find meaning in the Christmas biblical story of angels and their message of “peace and goodwill to all people” that accompanied the birth of Jesus over 2,000 years ago.
Yet, this year is no ordinary Christmas for Nigerians who are facing a grim season of unrelenting insecurity compounded with economic woes exacerbated by spiraling inflation, high cost of living, poverty arising from the federal government’s “bold reforms” of fuel subsidy withdrawal, and naira devaluation.
This is more so as the palliative measures are largely not seen or felt by the citizens. Obviously, the celebrations may be low-key this year as the Christmas bells and decorations are not elaborate or non-existent in most establishments.
But this should not dampen the spirit of Christmas which bothers on hospitality. Everyone should strive to extend this spirit to visitors, neighbours, and the less privileged as the rituals of Christmas are lessons in living a humane common life. The season reawakens and strengthens qualities already embedded in humankind.
We at Daily Trust therefore urge all Christians in Nigeria and indeed all around the world to use the spirit and virtues of Christmas to reorder their priorities about what is necessary, what is important, and just to live in harmony with one another. After all, the central theme of the Christmas message the angels delivered was “on earth, peace, goodwill towards men.”
This is the season to bolster the little things that show our kindness and harmony in our lives together, regardless of our beliefs or faith. Let the spirit of mutual respect, swelled by care for one another, be the kernel for Christmas 2023.
This will indeed rekindle another season of eternal hope for a better Nigeria. Merry Christmas!
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