As I am writing there is a acute petrol scarcity in Nigeria. People have to waste many man hours to queue to get fuel. Transport fares have skyrocketed and food prices are on the high side. This is not made better by the irregular payment if salaries. It’s indeed hard times and one is tempted to think what is there to celebrate. Times might be hard but we must understand that the message of Christmas is a message of hope.
Christmas should be a time we should embrace hope especially at this time when life seems a little harsh.
“Forget the painful past and learn to forgive those who hurt you. Just spread the joy and love this season.” Unknown
We must not lose the essence of Christmas. We must not let the fanfare and the commercialization of the season make us lose out of the reason for the season.
“You see, the Christmas most people celebrate is not the way God intended it to be celebrated. We have commercialized it, super-sized it, downgraded it, and for most people, ignored the real meaning of Christmas.” C. P. Lewis
Christmas is a time to reflect on our lives to see if the birth of Jesus has any effect on our lives. Jesus Himself declared why He came . . . the essence of Christmas.
“ I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10
Jesus came to give us life -eternal life and when we embrace the reason for Christmas we become empowered to go through the vicissitudes of life triumphantly and we become empowered to live our life purpose.
Also Christmas is a season of giving. It is a time when gifts and love is meant to be shared among people. This is a time to look beyond ourselves and think of others. If we really think we will realize we are better off than many people. This Christmas let us have a grateful heart – we might not be where we really want to be but we are surely not where we used to be.
We must be grateful for life. Our being alive simply means there is hope.
“There is hope only for the living. As they say, “It’s better to be a live dog than a dead lion!” Ecclesiastes 9:4
Christmas should be a time to give God thanks and to encourage others by giving gifts.
“Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.” Oren Arnold
We should not limit the season of giving to Christmas only. We must make giving a lifestyle.
“Christmas is forever, not for just one day for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself…” Norman Wesley Brooks
Once again merry Christmas and a happy new year in advance.
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