As we celebrate Christmas, it is very important for all Christians to think about Christmas, not just as the birthday of Jesus Christ, or as some historical event that is worth remembering and celebrating. The birth of Jesus was meant to transform the world, and it did so 2,000 years ago, but today, how are we His followers actually commemorating his birth by being agents of real transformation? Mahatma Gandhi’s apathy towards Christians in his well documented comments, that I para-phrase “Show me a Christian and I will become one” or “I like their Christ, but the Christians, they are nothing like him” are a reminder of how insipid Christians have become in these times, and how far less impactful our faith is on the world, because of how we have neglected the substance of our faith, and only focus on the ephemeral issues of jollof rice, new clothes, decorations and gifts during this season.
There is no doubt that Christmas should be celebrated, but if Christmas is to have any real meaning in our lives then we must look beyond the holidays, gifts and celebrations and the feasts of sumptuous jollof rice that we plan to have to find the real meaning of Christmas to humanity and try to live out this meaning, not only during the season, but all through our lives as Christians. In the words of the Catholic Bishop of Oyo, Emmanuel Badejo, “Christians have become like a generator that you put on, yet there is no light supplied in the house”. How can we light up the world this Christmas, not with the ornamental bulbs, decorations and Christmas trees, but with attitudes and actions that are truly in the spirit of Christ?
To do this we need to search for the promises of Christmas especially as foretold by the prophets of the old testament – Isaiah, Nathan and John the Baptist, and then challenge ourselves to see how our attitude and conduct can actually work towards the fulfilment of those promises. In the early days of Christianity, it was these that guided the work of the followers of Christ that led to a new world order and a new civilization built on Christ. It transformed the world within and outside Israel, and bequeathed to us the faith we now have. It’s now our turn to do the needful and use the transformative power of Christ’s birth to heal our broken hearts and broken land.
The biggest promise of the birth of Christ is that the Son of God became man so that the sons of men will become sons of God. Unfortunately, many Nigerian Christians do not fully appreciate what this means – this is why a band of prosperity preaching self-enriching religious leaders have taken over our faith. They have reduced Christian faithful who allow it, to become “pastor-junkies”, with blind and uncompromising loyalty to their pastor’s brand, deifying these “men of God” and forgetting that we ALL were baptized as Prophets, Kings and Priests! This is why many sit and warm the back-benches in Church, preferring not to “get involved” beyond attending mass or services. Let’s embrace who we are – children of God, co-heirs of the Kingdom and co-owners of the Church, and let’s take ownership for what happens rather than sit back and allow a handful of ill-intentioned people mis-direct and mislead us. Take ownership of your faith this Christmas like the true Son/Daughter of God that you are!
Another powerful set of Christmas promises relate to the mercy of God – the eyes of the blind will be opened, tongues of the mute will speak, the lame will leap. As you eat your jollof rice, how many fellow Nigerians who are impoverished and suffering have you helped? Would having less on your table this Christmas so that others who have nothing may have something mean that God loves you less. Let’s re-think the concept of Christian Charity during this season. Let’s give, not just our resources, but our time and talent to heal our broken and fractured world. Let’s work towards removing the social, political and economic structures that reduce most of our population to shameful poverty. As children of God our works of charity, love and social justice will create miracles in the lives of many, if we can get out of our self-absorbed mindset this season. Be a miracle to someone today – that’s what Christ did through Christmas: Christians must do the same.
Jesus came to this world 2,000 years ago with great promises that he fulfilled. He has passed the baton to us who are his followers. Are we holding on and running the race, fighting the good fight, and lighting up the world; or have we dropped the baton, and dug into the feast of jollof rice under the ornamental lights that only light up our living rooms and make us “better pass our neighbours”
Omagbitse Barrow
