Christmas time, according to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of current English by A.S. Hornby, is the period that includes Christmas Day and the days close to it. It also defined Christmas day (25 December), as the day when Christians celebrate the birth of Christ.
According to Geddes & Grosset, The complete English Language companion, ‘Christmas’ is an annual festival (25 December) in memory of the birth of Christ.
The English Dictionary, It is a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, incorporating various Christian, pre-Christian and secular customs.
Birthdays and or birth months are usually customer very sacrosanct in human lives especially for those who may have made some achievements in their endeavour or within certain ages.
Organizations, institutions and establishments are not also left out in the celebrations of birthdays of their establishments either in low key or elaborate moods.
Nigeria in the past two months precisely October 1st, 2014 just celebrated her 54th anniversary.
Birthday anniversary are celebrated to recall or record feet so far achieved or mark to further strengthen as well as aimed at improving on areas considered to be challenging.
Whichever way one may look at it, birthday celebrations are hosted in appreciation to God’s unfailing love, protection, provisions, guidance and above all in gratitude to God’s sovereignty in creation.
The Christmas and those in secular worship have nothing to distract or disrupt their calendar since it has to do with the celebrations of birth of the Saviour of the world and the very first human to be sacrificed for others to live and gain salvation.
The period is always packed up with several activities such as, marriages either traditional or church celebration, burials, club meetings, family gathering and one form of occasion or the other. It is so because many believe it’s the period of immense celebration, rest, reaching out to the unreached and ofcourse showing off what was gathered from the beginning of the year.
But, most individuals have actually deviated from the reason and essence of the period, without reflecting it in their private and corporate lives. The Christmas period is however, meant to reflect on the circumstances of Christ birth thereby giving rise to genuine repentance and steps to worship and live for the only true God.
Though the main trust of this episode is not entirely on the essence of Christmas, it is worthy to state and maintain that the importance and reason for the period cannot be overemphasised as it is the only means, reason and essence for human existence on planet earth.
Christ birth was prophesied and promised before the birth took place, and because of its significance in human lives, salvation of all races, the rescue as well as salvaging birth is always remembered though many celebrate it in the wrong dimension, but one important fact that Christ was born at the time was being upheld throughout the universe.
While many see it as time for amendment of lives, reunion, renewal and time for decision making as well as making certain unkept resolutions, true Christians considers it time for sober reflections on their lives with Christ. The circumstances surrounding Christ birth, growth, ministry and death is indeed worth reflected upon as it significance makes positive and possible impact in the lives of soul winners.
Politics: Indeed, the schedule of February 14th and 28th, 2015 for the general elections into the Presidency, National Assembly, Governorship and States Houses of Assembly seats in Nigeria could be described as timely and most appropriate as it is a post Christmas exercise. What this means is that, with the spirit of Christmas many believe that the election would take a lovely, cheering and peaceful dimension against the fear as expressed in some quarters.
The trust of this episode of Issues Abattoir is to ensure that political activities ongoing during the yuletide ‘through to the election period is conducted in the spirit of the season to enhance the needed peaceful, fair and free electoral exercise.
It is true that Christmas period are crowded with several activities ranging from personal to corporate, but in this year yuletide season, political activities is expected to greet the airwaves, local meetings, community gatherings and as well as numbers of events.
Since, it is obvious that friends, family members, colleagues, well-wishers and the who is who in the various communities would certainly touch their places of origin at the yuletide season, it is also practicable that the political class would not only attempt but ensure they relate with those they have missed for some time and ofcourse reveal and discuss their aspirations, trying to woo them for their support.
This could be done through various means, through friends, coordinators, supporters and family heads.
As the election is just less than 60 days from the Christmas season, and contestants, aspirants or candidates, call them any name, would be eager to sell their stuff to the people, acknowledging the time as such that would usher in many to their respective places and abode as huge benefit.
It is on this backdrop that Issues Abattoir while considering the efficacy of political campaigns, its possible outcome or consequences particularly to the premature minds in politics, advocates for orderly, peaceful, mature and civilized manner of approach to issues, debates and their course.
This, if done would certainly reveal the outcome of the February 2015 general elections. Let it be recall that no obscure means would take the nation, states, LGAs or wards and any candidate to a better placement rather clear and diligent approaches would elevate all.
To the various political heads, party leadership, candidates of respective party platforms, it is time to ascertain your prowess in politics as the yuletide coincides with the upcoming general election. Yuletide periods are moments of happiness than sadness, hence now is the time to see even politicians conduct themselves in a manner that deserves commendation and as well attract supporters and support.
The 2014 Christmas and New Year celebration which precedes the Nigeria general election and would be saddle with political campaigns and as characterized as timely, is expected to produce and or yield better, pleasant outcome of the general election if those concerned would surrender to the pulpit call in their various churches this season.
This is crucial as no church would call, pray or advocates for war, crisis election but peaceful election, hence, the opinion is that all candidates should subject selves to the detects of the Almighty God for direction and guidance.
It is the expectation of Issues Abattoir, that this Christmas would lighten the anticipated burden of the forthcoming national exercise if all stakeholders would desist from any, (if at all) form of misdirection and focus on God.
As 2014 gradually comes to an end, Issues Abattoir wish to congratulate her numerous readers, wishing them glorious celebration of the yuletide and prosperous 2015 in advance, while cautioning you all against such that would not glorify God and lifting you higher in life.
Glad to see you ALL on the second week of January even as you celebrate with me on my birthday – December 25th.
Cheers! Happy Xmas and a prosperous new year. ###
