In the next two days the biggest event in Christendom will be happening all over the world. The 25th of December is set aside to mark the birth of Jesus Christ regarded among the Christian faithful as the saviour of mankind.
The birth of Christ is significant among Christians because it reminds the adherents about the birth of a Saviour, Jesus Christ that He eventually sacrificed for the salvation of mankind. It provides them opportunity to renew their relationship with God and as well win more Souls for God.
Christmas in recent times has become mired in some kind of controversy among some bible scholars and some churches. Some dispute the date of the event claiming that Christ was not born on that date. Others tag it a pagan festival while yet many hold the view that they are only concerned with the significance of the celebration and refused to be drawn into any argument.
Irrespective of the argument what cannot be denied is that Christmas comes with a feeling that brings joy unspeakable which effect is seen impacting lives and activities, animate and inanimate all over the world.
Christmas celebration draws some uniqueness in the period in which it is celebrated. The month of December is the last month of the year when business activities wind down and take stock of activities for the year. Organizations declare holidays to allow employees enjoy the moments with their families.
During the season the communities take out time to organize some social activities such as launch of community projects, chieftaincy conferment on their illustrious citizens, traditional festivals, wrestling competitions, crusades, while the youths embark on football contests among the different communities or villages in the area.
At individual levels families organize weddings, house opening, church outings, burials, thanksgiving, etc. Christmas is one period characterized by series of activities which brings joy to the adherents and everybody alike.
In this part of the world that is predominantly Christian Christmas celebration attracts huge attention from the people. Aside from being a religious festival, it has very strong effect on the social life of the people. It is a period of home coming for Ndigbo from all over the world to touch base, to unite with kits and kin.
Following the law of duality, while the festival holds good for the celebrants it is often characterized by some negative tendencies which should not be associated with a religious event that is supposed to be celebrating the Saviour of man.
We note with disappointment that during the season many unscrupulous business men take advantage of the increased business activities not only to dupe unsuspecting customers but also serve substandard products that are injurious to the people. At this period caution is thrown to the wind.
Similarly crime is not spared from the effects of Christmas celebration. During this season there is usually a surge in the level of crime. Many bad people take advantage of the situation to inflict injury on others through crime.
Criminals cash in on the moment to rob unsuspecting travelers who may be overwhelmed by the challenges of movement.
There are those who will break houses of those who may have travelled while others are waylaid on the road, attacked and dispossessed of their valuable while some are killed in the process. Indeed it is a challenging moment.
The season therefore calls for extra vigilance on the part of everybody but especially security personnel. There is need for government to double their effort at this period to ensure the protection of lives and property. We should resist every effort to allow the joyous period turn to a period of emotional pains or trauma.
While we warn criminal elements in the society to keep off and turn a new leaf and use the season to embrace a new life we also caution those celebrating to cease indulging in any provocative behavior like flaunting their wealth which will induce robbers to attack them.
News Echo wishes to remind all the reason for the season and call on all adherents to br Christ like as they celebrate. Peace should and love which Christ represents should be allowed to take pre-eminence in our lives during and after the celebration.
The society as it is now is seriously challenged with moral decay and only good Christian virtues should sanitize it for us to have an enduring life of comfort.
