NIGERIAN Christians today join their counterparts around the world to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, and founder of Christianity. It is the greatest Christian festival ever. Preparations for the annual global event, depending on individuals, have been on for weeks or even months, amidst the economic crunch and palpable insecurity.
As usual, the period, in Nigeria, has been characterized by massive commercial activities, mass movements of people from distant lands to their native homelands, Christmas decorations, and Christmas carols blaring from music systems in cities and rural communities. In churches, programmes leading to the great event have been quite profound and colourful; prayers, carols, campouts for children, and evangelism outreaches. These are parts of the spiritual.
Socially and economically, musical concerts and clubbing have had their bars raised in the cities and towns, with the youth rushing in to literally enjoy themselves. For roadside barbecue and suyacentres, it’s been a boom period for their businesses. As for the eateries, the moment has been like no other in terms of revenue inflows.
But today, the Christmas Day, is the climax of all the celebrations; spiritually, economically and socially. It is a very significant religious festival that underpins God’s greatest act of love to humanity, the gift of Jesus Christ to the world, more than 2.000 years ago. He would later lay down His life for the salvation of as many as would believe in Him, according to the Holy Bible. And there are billions of people who believe cutting across the various Christian denominations globally.
Sadly, Nigerian Christians in the Northern parts of the country might not have the privilege of celebrating the Christmas like their brethren in Southern Nigeria because of the scale of insecurity in those parts. Christians in the North-Central region, North-Eastern region and North-Western region had been under constant deadly attacks by terrorist groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandits and herdsmen operating in those regions.
Christians in these Northern zones, nevertheless, have, not wanting to be left out of the greatest religious showpiece on earth, also been preparing with palpable fear and great caution. They also join the celebration today under the atmosphere of heavy insecurity. The entire scenario is not only sad; it is sickening, repulsive and condemnable. This is shameful for a government that has defence and security forces that are rated excellent on the global stage for their roles in peace keeping.
Cognizant of the security implications for this year’s celebration, the security and defence agencies have deployed to various possible flashpoints to safeguard lives and property of citizens. This is even more so when there have been reports of insurgents moving to the Southern parts of the country lately. We commend these agencies for being proactive in the light of the perceived threats to national security. The momentum should be sustained throughout the Christmas season.
A period also known for hikes in criminal activities, it is our appeal that we should be one another’s keeper during the period. Strange movements and activities should be reported promptly to the nearest security post for urgent intervention. This implies that everyone should be on red alert as never before.
As the Christmas event climaxes today, 25th December, we urge celebrants to remember its underlying virtue of love and extend same to neighbours. This could be in the form of monetary and material gifts especially to the less privileged in your district. This is the moment to remember orphans, widows, the poor, the sick, and those in prison. Christendom and the leadership should remember Christians in the North and show them massive love.
The Christmas period is also a time for political leaders, and even those in the corporate world, to soberly reflect on how to enhance the welfare of citizens they rule over: healthcare, education, food, shelter, protection, employment, and roads. These are gifts that grow a better society.
Christians have defied the effect of the unfavourable economy to mobilise resources in preparation for today’s celebration. As Nigerian Christians join the global body of Christ to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, we wish them all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance.
