Today is Christmas

Today is Christmas; the day set aside by Christians the world over to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

This season, churches held special services up till this morning to usher in the celebrations.

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Indeed,  Christmas is one of two Christian holidays universally celebrated; this for the virgin birth of Jesus in the manger and the other, Easter, 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 or 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 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 could 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 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.

It is time to rekindle a new life. It is time to put a smile on someone.

But this year is no ordinary Christmas as this is the grim season with increasing insecurity compounded with economic woes exacerbated by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

And in this unusual year, Nigeria is experiencing the second wave of the highly infectious and deadly COVID-19.

Therefore, citizens should avoid large gatherings, adhere strictly to halving the number of people attending various social functions at any given time and space as social activities could become super spread events for COVID-19.

Nigerians should adhere to all COVID-19 protocols, attend only social functions which are absolutely necessary and always observe a social distance of at least two metres.

They should also wear face masks correctly, wash their hands regularly with running water and soap and apply hand sanitisers frequently.

In addition, they should cover their mouths within an elbow or disposable serviettes when they cough.

In this unusual Christmas season, anyone who loses his or her sense of taste or smell or experiences fever must go for COVID-19 test.

In addition, those who have no symptoms should go for routine tests.

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.

Again this is time for Nigerians to 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.

It is another season of eternal hope for a better Nigeria. Merry Christmas.