For centuries, Christmas celebrations have been an annual ritual in which most of the estimated seven billion people across the globe participate, one way of the other. This is expected with the 12-month calendar, where a year begins January and ends December every year.
Away from this preamble, just like the various Moslem celebrations, Christmas celebration it is a global issue, regardless of whether the person celebrating is a Christian, Moslem, atheist or traditionalist.
Sharing of love, gifts, friendships, peace, unity, laughter, harmony, light merriment, and life are some of the tag words associated with Christmas. Indeed, these are tag-words that will certainly bring about world peace in words and deeds. These words are Godly, humanitarian, altruistic, unifying and calming, to the entire world.
I, therefore, plead with people across the globe to ensure that these tag-words come uppermost in their daily dealings with themselves and others. These are the gains of celebrating Christmas.
But, let us look at the other side of the same coin. During Christmas or any other festivities, there is always tension all over the places. Some of my Igbo friends from the eastern part of Nigeria love to travel, despite the fact that transport fares could increase by 300 per cent, to enjoy with their families, relatives and others at their various villages. Nothing is wrong in this if we plan for it.
A close friend of mine told me recently that he borrowed N500, 000, to travel with his family members to his village for the Christmas celebrations.
To the best of my knowledge, my friend whose business profile is presently epileptic does not have the capacity to pay back the money he borrowed in six months, beginning from this month of January, 2020.
In times like this, criminals are always on the upbeat, desperately trying to reap where they did not sow, and the police and other security agents are always on the alert. Motorists, commercial and private are always reckless and restive and so the road safety officials and the police are under tension,  nationwide.
At our various communities in Nigeria, people want to beat the Christmas date-line to purchase chicken, fish, rams, hampers and other gifts for their families and friends. Anything goes here; fair and foul.
There are some of us who planned for the celebrations. Also, there are others who will borrow, steal, beg or defraud others to impress people to celebrate Christmas and New Year. Is this right? I do not think so.
Emmanuel Udom
www.ezines.com