Bringing Hope To Nigerians At Christmas

Bringing Hope To Nigerians At Christmas

By Dare Olorunfemi

The birth of Jesus Christ is a singular historical event with many dimensions.

It is the fulfilment of the promise of God from creation, enunciated by prophets across the Bible and heralded by angels.

The birth is the incarnation of the love of God who sent His only begotten Son to live among men and die on the cross for the remission of their sins and restoration of relationship with mankind.

The birth of Jesus was located within a socio-political scenario when Joseph and Mary the mother of Jesus went from Galilee to Judaea to perform a civic duty of paying tax, in obedience to a decree by Augustus Caesar.

Although the origin and the christening of December 25 as Christmas remain controversial, as this was not mentioned in the Bible nor observed by the early Church, the fact remains incontrovertible that Jesus was born.

Christmas has its origin in the 4th century AD when a Roman Emperor, Constantine, converted a date hitherto dedicated to Idol worship as a day of celebration of Mass to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Constantine must have acted like the wise men who left their animals in the bush to search for the place where Christ was born that they might worship him.

From the account of creation as recorded in the Bible, God created all the days, hence no idol deserves a day to be dedicated to it.

Christmas has, thus, existed as the day of commemoration of the birth of Christ.

The essence of mass gathering of people to celebrate the birth of Christ has run through history from age to age.

Christmas connects the rich and the poor, government to government, nations to nations, the high and the low, the government and the governed.

Christmas occasions the mass movement of people across the world, irrespective of religious persuasions.

Christmas is the theme of songs, sermons and reason for many social interactions.

It changes the social and physical environment, as it changes the lives of the wise who still seeks Jesus.

Christmas ties the past, the present and the future, in a continuum, drawing people to the consciousness of eternity with their Creator.

Mass of people still draw strength, hope and inspiration in Jesus Christ who is the essence of Christmas.

For many, it is a season to intensify the spread of the gospel.

Ironically, for many the essence of Christmas is fading into the euphoria and festivities, with little or no room for Christ to be born in their hearts, as was in Bethlehem in a busy environment where there was no room for Christ to be born, but in the manger.

To many individuals, families and organisations, Christ is in the small corner in the manger.

Christmas closes a season and opens a new one.

For Nigerians, the celebration of the festive season should be dimensional.

One, the individual must see the period as a time to give and share love not minding the economic hardship that enveloped the whole world.

Giving must be seen as part of the celebration.

On the side of all the tiers of government, this is the period to put the people at heart, cater for their safety and come up with programmes that would gladden the hearts of the masses, while the people must be ready to support government in achieving its laudable goals.

This Christmas provides opportunities to draw inspiration, hope and strength from Christ, imbibing His humility. sacrifice, love and new life in the year ahead.

Edited By Grace Namiji