Quite sorry I have not been consistent here in the past few weeks. I've been more consistent however on my other blog. I still find wordpress a lot more user friendly than blogger; mostly because I'm a person who blogs on the the go and the wordpress mobile application on blackberry is still the most convenient. I hope Blogger makes a mobile application for blackberry real soon.
So, that aside, its Christmas! This Christmas is reminiscent of the ones I had as a kid for one reason only; the weather. The harmattan came to stay this season, unlike last year when it appeared for two days and vanished. Its our own version of winter characterized by bloody cold nights and mornings, warm afternoons, very dry air and lots of dust. This is my favorite time of the year and if you sweat a lot, it'll be yours too because perspiration is reduced to the barest minimum.
What's more? I'm in the ancient City of Benin with family and friends and it has been a wild ride since Christmas kicked off unofficially on the 23rd. Lots and lots of alcohol, jokes, laughs and general happiness. The atmosphere here is charged with festivity with people putting on funny christmas hats and colourful outfits everywhere I go and on more than one occasion, I have witnessed rare acts of kindness that I wouldn't have thought possible.
Life is far from perfect in Nigeria. Living in Nigeria is like being cast into the jungle where its survival of the fittest and the richest. All year round, its an intense battle to by Nigerians to make ends meet in a harsh economic climate. You can smell the struggle, the frustration, the anger but for just a few days coinciding with the Christmas break, it miraculously changes. The populace cast away their masks of fury for a cheerful countenance. Acts of love and kindness which seemed non-existent resurface in full force. For once, there is a high level of contentment and you get to see just how happy Nigerians can be.
It has been said that Christmas historically began as a pagan celebration and somehow, got merged with Christianity; it is still a contestable fact that Jesus Christ was actually born on the 25th of December. However, if this season is the cause of so much joy the world over; a season of gratitude for life, family and loved ones; a season of cheerful giving and sharing despite having little; a season of hearty celebration and the display of rare acts of kindness and affection, a time to spread love and a time of hope - all because of whom its associated with: Jesus Christ who made the ultimate sacrifice, I only wish we had more Christmases all year round. No other festive celebration matches the joy it brings.
So to my dear readers, though its coming a tad late, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in advance. Show some love, put a smile on somebody's face, laugh loud, love more, be kinder and gentler, appreciate life and beauty, be good and do right always, keep believing that your situation will get better, that Nigeria will get better, that the world will get better and somehow, you'll fulfill someone's heart's desires as someone, somewhere will fulfill yours!
I love you all!
Malcolm O. Ifi.
Photo Credits: The Internet
You mention that there are customs in Christmas associated with paganism, and that Christmas is a season of love and happiness (if I could sum up what you are saying that way). But the fact that a holiday can bring feelings of love and happiness, even if that holiday originates in paganism does not make it right in God's sight.
ReplyDeleteGod condemns using pagan customs to worship Him.
There is an article on the Internet about the secret meaning of Pentecost that explains part of the reason why Christmas is wrong. It also says that there is a punishment coming on the United States for its sins that will wipe out about 90% of the American people through war, disease, and starvation.
Thanks for sharing your views. It would be kindly appreciated if you could drop the link to the article you referred to.
ReplyDelete