The Season of Christmas

We inhabit a world filled with an array of people from different walks of life; people from different tribes, cultures, religions and so on. A world which has obviously metamorphosed into something different from God’s master plan.

However, irrespective of the glaring differences in the socio-cultural and religious habits of humans, it is obvious that God whether called Allah, Tamuno, Chukwu, Olorun etc, is seen as the one and only true God, source of Love and owner of the Universe and must be recognized via peacefully cohabiting in a world neither one of us had a hand in its creation.

While we recognize the existence of many religions worldwide, there exist three (3) main religions in Nigeria:

1)Christianity
2) Islam
3)African Traditional Religion (ATR)

Speaking of ATR refers to the ethnic and religious traditions and practices specific to indigenous Nigerians; a religion of faith depicting a form of wholeness encompassing all aspects of life – spiritualism, politics, socio-culturalism - communicated via music, art and the sacred. African Traditional Religion slowly but not completely gave way in contemporary Nigeria to Christianity by marring many values and customs of indigenous Nigerians while Islam on the other hand had already been in existence in Northern Nigeria via her neighbours from North of the Sahara who were predominantly Muslims.

Christianity is primarily about Jesus Christ and God’s promise in John 3:16 to give mankind a second chance at redemptive love by offering Jesus for crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. Like the Muslim Eid al-Maulud an-Nabawi-Festival of the Birth of Prophet Muhammad, the Season of Christmas is about the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and its significance in Christendom-love, humility and gentility. It is a joyous occasion that calls for bringing about lasting change in our communities in order to reduce the level of moral decadence in our societies today.

There is therefore an urgent plea for religious tolerance, respect for the values and customs of one’s host community as well as letting bygones be bygones. It may be easier said than done because as humans we are subject to different moods and aspirations- joy and sadness, patience and anger, gaiety and melancholy and so we should not allow certain aspects of other cultures deter us from showing brotherly love to non-Christians for Jesus Christ was impartial and showed love to all and sundry.

Festive seasons like Christmas are best suited for renewal of faith despite existing societal ills that can shake one’s religious foundation. As Christmas day lurks around the corner, we need to remember the less privileged whom can barely or cannot even afford the necessities of life for as the world becomes a global village, a little spread of Tender Loving Care about the place can go a long way to healing wounds.

Merry Christmas and Happy 2013 in advance

Joyeux Noël et Bonne 2013 en avance

Feliz Navidad y Feliz 2013 por adelantado