REAL ESSENCE OF CHRISTMAS, BY CLERICS

Like harmattan whiff, its aura hangs thickly in the air. Its presence can be felt in the colourful lights, fascinating decorations and serenading carols that reflect the mood of the season world­wide.

It is Christmas again, a season of joy, celebration, love and sharing for many. And for others who, all year round are caught up in the race for survival, it’s simply a time to take a break from the maddening crowd and bask in the short holiday provided by the season

Though seen as the most wonderful and best time of the year due to the joy and abundance that the season brings, unfortunately, there are people who by life’s vicissitudes merely revolve around the season, oblivious of what it really connotes. From the east, west, north to the south of the country, these people are either smarting from life altering experiences, are in a state of despair or depend on people’s benevo­lence to survive. Also, there are those that the terrible economic situation has become a dirge on their lips, as well as those who are termi­nally ill and live daily on the hope for a miracle. Not fathoming the reason for the season also are the old people abandoned to die in poorly kept homes and pensioners owed months of entitlements as well as itinerant kid beggars that flock the street for alms.

For these set of people who are merely being surrounded by sights and sounds of Xmas, and whose will to celebrate has been knocked out of their sail and are left to drift on the sea of melancholy, Christmas definitely holds no essence. Even the prospect of indulging in the Christmas tradition of savouring simmering plates of the traditional Xmas rice and chicken seems a mirage to these hapless folks.

This set of people, according to Pastor Ayo­dele Joseph Oritsejafor, President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), are those the celebration should be centred on. He stressed that Christmas should essentially be about giv­ing, sacrifice and peace, devoid of unnecessary frivolities.

The cleric, who is the Founder, Word of Life Bible Church, Warri, Delta State, explained that Christmas is the highest point of God’s giving to mankind. He stressed that God is and would continue to be in the business of giving, but that giving His son Jesus Christ was the ultimate gift of all. He then asked: “If he has given us Christ, what have we given him in return?”

In an interview with the reporter, Oritsejafor lamented that something was definitely twisted in people’s understanding of giving, adding that Christmas should be a season when people forget themselves and think of others.

Pastor Oritsejafor emphasised that the great­ness of a nation lies within its people, noting that so much can change when the centre of attention shifts to others in dire need of life necessities.

Condemning what he described as sense­less killings of innocent civilians by the Boko Haram sect, he wondered if people have ever taken a minute to reflect on the plight of those displaced in places ravaged by the insurgents.

His words: “Have we thought about those displayed, what they need? And how they live? Have we thought about food, shelter and secu­rity for them? What have we done to change their lives and what are we prepared to do?”

Giving, the CAN president stressed, implies sacrifice. He asked how far Nigerians, espe­cially the leaders, are prepared to go. He noted that if all Nigerians can make sacrifices, all would change for good in the country.

He also averred that if all elected officials in the country can give up one per cent of their savings and an eminent, honest Nigerian is selected to manage the funds for the benefit of the poor, there would be a total turnaround.

While taking a swipe at political office hold­ers, he wondered if they are willing to sacrifice for the good of the country. “Most of them are spoiling for war if they lose; war to amass wealth. Are they ready to accept defeat as a sign of sacrificing for peace?”

Pastor Oristsejafor further explained that the birth Jesus was that of peace, noting that when he was born in a manger, angels came to proclaim peace on earth and goodwill for man. He emphasised that peace would return to Nigeria but that everyone has a role to play, adding that development can’t happen without an atmosphere of peace.

“Let’s think about giving, sacrifice and peace during this Christmas. Let’s all thinks essentially about peace. Those engineering and sponsoring Boko Haram should stop for a moment within this period and reflect on the season. Christmas is for everyone, irrespective of religion.”

For Bishop Emmah Gospel Isong, Chair­man of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Cross River State and the General Overseer, Christian Central Chapel Interna­tional (CCCI), Ikot-Eneobong, Calabar, there is more to Christmas than the festivity that has been attached to it. He lamented that people are so embroiled in the festive period that they are fast forgetting the real reason for the season. According to him, people are more particular about the ‘Mass’ and have played down the ‘Christ’. He emphasised that Christmas should not be celebrated frivolously, indulging in habits that demean the significance of the season.

“The season should be a time of reunion with family, mankind and God. People embark on frivolous living and vanity during Christmas instead of using the opportunity to embark on deep worship. Christmas is meant to celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus, who is actually no lon­ger a baby. But in celebrating the birth of this baby, you have to seek him first,” he said.

He then urged Christians to renew their relationship with God, reconcile and be sure to be in right standing with God.

Reinforcing the importance of Christmas, Pastor John Ogundare, Founder and General Superintendent, Christ Redemption Bible Church (CRBC), Ketu, Lagos stressed that the season should be about peace, love and sharing to the needy. He explained that Christmas is for Christians all over the world as well as for Muslims.

He noted that at this point in the life of the country, Nigerians need more of love and are expected to work towards making the unity of the country stronger.

Pastor Ogundare therefore called on the Boko Haram sect to, for the sake of the season, put a stop to the killings and shelling. He also called on men of God worldwide to use the season to return to the message of the cross.

“Preach love, salvation and holiness, of which God said without it no one can see Him. Go back and preach true salvation to the perishing,” he charged his fellow pastors.

For Reverend Berth Owoh of Elshaddai Pentecostal Ministry (EPN) Ijesha, Lagos, Christmas is not a time to womanise, get drunk and eat to stupor. Rather, it should be a time to allow Christ be born in one’s life, in the society and in the country. He also warned that Christmas is not a time to squander a year’s profit in a day and end up broke before the end of the year.

According to him: “It is a time to exam­ine our lives and be sure Christ is there and if he is not, invite Him in. That way, Christ would have been well celebrated. Christmas is a time to commemorate the birth of Christ and take stock of our lives as individ­uals. Nigerians should not at this period travel to their villages to show off nonexistent wealth. Doing this help to incur lots of enemies and this is one of the consequences of celebrating Christmas the wrong way.”

 By Tessy Igomu for the Sun