Today is Christmas. It may just happen on millions of Nigerians who have survived one of the worst years of their lives. From security challenges to the pangs of the retracting economy, there are hardly resour-ces to make Christmas merry. While Christmas used to be awaited with anticipations of the joys of the season, 2014 has been a year of unequalled challenges in the race for survival. Survivors still bear the marks of a year of excruciating moments of doubts about governments or their purpose.
Christmas is special. Even non-Christians celebrate it. They are forced into the encumbrances of the season by the encompassing engagements of Christmas. At Christmas, the world halts, momentari-ly, to acknowledge the birth of Jesus Christ who died to redeem and reconcile people to God. Acceptance of the lordship of Jesus is central to the promised redemption.
The disorder of Christmas casts slurs on Jesus Christ. Can one associate Christ with the greed, crime and the impulsive acqui-sitions that mark the season? These traits are unlike the central figure in Christmas. More motor accidents, caused mostly by reckless driving and excessive consumption of alcohol, mark this season of celebrations. Excesses are glorified. Christmas enhances the most devastating moments of impas-sioned selfishness. Prices of goods and services have jumped. Everyone exploits a season that papers over poverty, creates a picture of affluence and regenerates poverty.
With our high doses of religiosity, Christmas has provided the perfect platform for commercialisation of faith, hope and expectations. Poverty is raging – the authorities post statistics that suggest poverty is bearable. Our people pin their expectations on extraordinary promises sold at church services. How would Jesus Christ have lived today? What would He have said about a changing world that diminishes values of humanity and with its cell phones, internet, new media, new marriages and atrocities committed in God’s name? What would Jesus have said about the poor and oppressive govern-ments?
The reason for this season is that God cares. God has concerns about people. He cared enough to send His son to die for them. The authorities claim God put them in office. Why, then, are they so unfeeling towards the people? Why do they remember the people only at elections, solely for the votes?
Christmas is a time of celebration. The affluent celebrate elaborately. It is easy to forget that millions of Nigerians cannot afford a meal, even on Christmas Day. Christmas at the expense of others becomes merely Christmas and contradicts the spirit of the season and the reason for the season.
You can make this Christmas merrier by celebrating with others, especially the poor.
We wish our readers Merry Christmas.
