Merry Christmas!

TODAY, as in previous years, Nigerians are celebrating the birth of the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. For days now, Christmas, that season of the year typically associated with free giving, trees, decorations and lights, Father Christmas, knock-outs and fireworks, carol service, festivities and parties, among others, has been in the air, and the vast majority of Nigerian Christian faithful and even adherents of other faiths have been having a fun time, placing religious observance above economic circumstance and affirming the typically celebratory Nigerian spirit even in the face of economic deprivation. This year, in addition to the typical economic challenges, Nigerians have experienced tragic incidents relating to Christmas giving. But the tragedies still haven’t dampened the Christmas spirit.

At least 57 lives were lost during the sharing of food and palliative items in separate incidents in three different states. Apparently, due to poor planning, the philanthropic gestures of certain public-spirited Nigerians turned awry when the crowd that had gathered became uncontrollable, leading to lamentable loss of lives, including of minors and the elderly, at the separate venues. The stampedes happened in Ibadan, Oyo State; Okija, Anambra State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The victims who were struggling to obtain rice and other items lie in their graves at the moment, forever silenced. Sadly, too, fifteen persons, including a one-year-old boy, were reportedly murdered in cold blood by assailants on the night of Sunday, December 23, at Ri Do, also known as Gidan Ado, a hamlet of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. Every year, gunmen alleged to be nomadic herders stage orgies of blood on the Plateau, and this year has been sadly not different from previous years.

Typically, the political establishment has not shied away from its traditional practice of celebrating Christmas and enjoining Nigerians to imbibe the lessons it offers while solidifying the fabric of national unity. Declaring the Christmas holiday, the Federal Government said: “The Christmas season is a good moment for both spiritual reflection and national renewal. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us demonstrate kindness and extend goodwill to one another, irrespective of our differences.” It urged Nigerians to use the festive period to reflect on the values of love, peace, and unity that the season signifies, emphasising the importance of the season as a time to foster harmony and strengthen bonds across families and communities.

Of a truth, Christmas is a season to treasure. Jesus Christ, the man at the centre of the celebrations, at least in the mental conception of it if not in lived-in reality, is known, through the presentation of his lifetime, mission and message in the synoptic gospels and the epistles, as the greatest embodiment of sacrifice, the man who was made a sin sacrifice by God so that humanity could be restored into the previously broken relationship with Him. He declared, according to the scriptural record, that there could be no greater love than dying so that others could live. Spurning ostentatious living and perennially at war with the spiritual merchants of His day, Jesus taught the virtues of total submission to the will of God, love of neighbours and humanity in general, and steadfast devotion to God and the shunning of mundane pleasures. Unfortunately, these virtues have, over the ages, been virtually lacking in human society as both the leaders and the led fully embrace the pursuit of earthly pleasures and will do everything within their power to gain unfair advantage over others. That being the case, there is nothing to be lost in reflecting on the virtues of Christ and seeking to demonstrate them in daily living. It would be quite tragic if all Christmas reminded Nigerians of was fried chicken and jollof rice.

In particular, as we have done over the years, we urge Nigeria’s political leadership to do much more than give Christmas sermons. They could certainly set Christmas targets for themselves, outlining life projects that they hope to complete by the next Christmas. If they get used to such a plan, they can make phenomenal change in the lives of people. That is what the leaders whose names remain on the lips of people long after their transition do. Nigerian leaders should walk their talk by shunning divisive tendencies and the primitive accumulation of wealth. They should take positive lessons from the lives of heroes who made a positive difference in the lives of people.

We wish all Nigerians, including our readers who have stayed with us through thick and thin, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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