TODAY is Christmas. It may just happen on millions of Nigerians who have survived one of the worst years of their lives – fuel scarcity and more scarcities. While Christmas used to be awaited with anticipations of the joys of the season, 2010 has been a year of unequalled challenges in the race for survival. Those who survived still bear the marks of a year of excruciating moments of doubts about the existence of governments or their purpose.

Christmas is special. Even non-Christians celebrate it. They are forced into the encumbrances of the season by the encompassing engagements of Christmas. At Christmas, the world halts, momentarily, to acknowledge the birth of Jesus Christ who died to redeem and reconcile people to God. Acceptance of the lordship of Jesus is central to the promised redemption.

The disorder of Christmas casts slurs on Jesus Christ. Can one associate Christ with the greed, crime and the impulsive acquisition that mark the season? These characters cannot be associated with the central figure in Christmas.

Motor accidents are more, caused mostly by reckless driving and excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks is a hallmark of this season. Excesses are glorified. Christmas enhances the most devastating moments of impassioned selfishness.

Prices of goods and services have jumped. Everyone exploits a season that papers over poverty, creates a picture of affluence and creates more poverty.

With our high doses of religiosity, Christmas has provided the perfect platform for commercialisation of faith, hope and expectations. Poverty is raging – the authorities post statistics that poverty is bearable. Our people pin their expectations on promises of the extraordinary sold at church services.

How would Jesus Christ have lived today? What would he have said about a changing world that diminishes value of humanity and with its cell phones, internet, new marriages and atrocities committed in God’s name?

What would Jesus have said about the poor and oppressive governments?

The reason for this season is that God cares. God has concern about people. He cared enough to send His son to die for them. The authorities claim God put them in office. Why are they, so unfeeling towards the people? Why do they remember the people only at elections?

Christmas is a time of celebration. Those who can afford it go into elaborate celebrations. It is easy to forget that there are millions of Nigerians, who cannot afford a meal, whether it is Christmas or not. Christmas at the expense of others becomes just Christmas and contradicts the spirit of the season and the reason for the season which is giving sacrificially to all without thinking of their beliefs or origins.

We wish our readers Merry Christmas.