exact day that Jesus Christ was born. The
choice of December 25 is symbolic. Pope
Julius I, chose that day in the 4th century as a
subtle way of blighting pagan celebration of
Saturnalia in the bud. This has been a
consistent feature of Christianity and the
logic is simple. By superimposing Christian
celebrations on pagan own, especially in the
infancy of Christianity, the influence of
paganism waned. Even till now, most
churches are built in forests that were
considered as belonging to evil spirits. This is
a proven evangelism tool, and this is the
same logic by which Christmas came to
overshadow the pagan saturnalia
A yearly ritual, Christmas is here again. It has
come to be associated with fanfare of the
Epicurean dimension. People now look
longingly to its coming. Because of its very
nature, it is only a few that even know that
Easter is considered as more profound and by
far more significant than Christmas.
One of the things that make Christmas
popular is the fact that it takes place towards
the end of the year, an ideal time for stock-
staking, to determine how one has fared for
the year. The fact that it is usually a public
holiday has contributed to its popularity.
By third week to Christmas, its preparations
are usually at a crescendo. Traffic all over the
country becomes heavy because of so many
people travelling home for the celebration. It
is a month of joy, a month of sharing and a
month of introspection. It is a month that is
particularly gratifying to our parents/relations
in the villages, whose food stores will be
replenished. It is also a month with a fair
share of troubles and tribulations. We have
actually seen people who committed suicide
because they felt they were denied what it
takes to celebrate a worthy Christmas. See
these people's reactions whenever Christmas
approaches. Some will roll while others will
wail on the ground. Their tales are usually
that of a year bent on frustrating them and
their efforts. As a way of keeping themselves
out of circulation, against popular tide, they
will decide not to travel home for Christmas,
until, perhaps, the economy improves.
Honestly, Christmas drives a lot of people out
of their wits. It may sound incredible, but it is
true that some people's ideas about
Christmas end with a great celebration,
where people go and show of. The people
that think thus are those that will take all the
money they have or even borrow from friends
to buy cars for Christmas. They do not end at
this. They also spend their last money in
buying expensive cloths; jewels and other
ornaments. This is the epicurean dimension
we earlier talked about.
To some women, Christmas is a time of
dressing competition. There are many social
occasions lined up; each has its own dress.
Women at this time are usually moving
showcases of their husbands' prosperity.
Even though Christmas is for festivity and is
longed for, some women actually decline
travelling on the reason that they are not
prepared. Preparations in this case have to
do with being able to procure enough cloths
to terrorise other women.
Youngsters are not left out. Those in the
flower of their maturity, in whom the light of
puberty has just been lit, often have in mind
to travel and announce to everybody that
they have come of age. They dress in
inconceivable manners that will drive
beholders' eyes all the more to wantonness.
They will, however, discover that even those
in the villages dress likewise. In their
inexperience, they strive to be the talk of the
town. Some of them, the grown up ones, who
have come of age to marry are made to travel
home in Christmas, for the possibility of
catching the prancing eyes of some eligible
bachelors.
Christmas, in its very conception, is supposed
to be a positive feast/celebration, but like
everything else, it has been corrupted. Wait
till January, after the effects of Christmas
festivities wear down, you will hear the tales
of people suffering from one outrageous
disease or the other. Some of these diseases
are only metaphysically explicable. Also, by
January, most of the housemaid that travelled
for Christmas will be sent back to their
homes. Tongues will wag; people will guess
why the sudden "repatriation" until their
tummies start to bulge in four/five months
time. So much for Christmas!
Frankly, Christmas is supposed to be a joyful
season. Is it? It is a temptation-filled season
instead. Come to think about the antics of
the boys who are undergoing apprenticeship
in different places (umuboyi). From January
to December, these people will start saving
monies they pilfer from their masters. By
December they will have a few thousands.
Guess what? They will spend it in such a
vulgar manner as if they were going to die
the next day. They drink, they spray, they
give to girls, they go to parties, and they
indulge in other vices common to their ages.
After seeing such indulgence, some boys of
their age will think that all is now well with
them. In their delusions, they will announce
defiantly their intentions to stop schooling
and take to trading. They do this without
realizing that most of those boys actually live
like slaves under the tutelages of their
masters. So much for Christmas!
Christmas lasts for a few days, but its
disturbing memories linger on. At Christmas,
people make friends. Adolescents meet each
other, go to functions together, attend night
Masses together, and get infatuated with one
another. Very soon they go back to their
respective schools. The first few months of
getting back to schools are usually
characterized by tension between studies and
the 6th commandment. You will see students
who cannot hold the definitions of subjects
that have been taught many times retaining
the pictures of the fair forms they have seen
but once. In attempting to read, they will,
rather than see the letters they are reading,
be confronted with the images of those fair
forms. So much for Christmas!
Christmas is also a period that brings out the
true images of some of us. Look at what our
church founders do in this season. It has
become a season of crusades, with pastors
advertising for people to come for miracles,
prosperity, signs and wonders. Preaching at
this time is usually tailored to remind people
who have made it to come and thank the Lord
with their tithes. They also remind those who
have not made it to come and draw spiritual
strength to enable them make it the next
year.
Christmas is a feast which very conception is
noble and spiritually enriching. The fact now
is that, different forces, which are struggling
over its soul, have hijacked it. It is supposed
to be a season of joy and peace. It is
inconceivable that some people in an attempt
to enjoy it, do grievous harm to themselves.
Some spend recklessly only to turn round and
look for where to get money to pay the
children's school fees. A lot of things are
wrong about our own conception of how
Christmas is celebrated. It is yet another
season that tests our maturity and calls for
circumspection.
Posted By David Aniemeka
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