Christmas represents the birthday of Jesus Christ. But beyond marking Christmas on a particular day, which is December 25th, it has become a season marked with a whole lot of activities lined up for the celebration. Our Deputy Editor, JOSEPH UTSU, throws more light on Christmas, how it is celebrated and its impacts in our society today.
Christmas is a Christian festival that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. However, it has become a global holiday, almost the longest holiday in the world today.
The story of the birth of Jesus Christ is given in two of the four gospels; the gospels of Matthew and Luke in the Christian Holy Book, the Bible. But no exact date is given concerning the birth of Jesus. Again, it is worthy to note, here, that the early Christians did not celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ, worshipped all over the world as Son of God.
According to Professor Christine Shepardson of the University of Tennessee, it was in the fourth century (that is, around 300 AD) that the tradition of celebrating Jesus’ birthday on the 25th of December emerged. According to the university don, “it’s hard to emphasize how important the fourth century is for constructing Christianity as we experience it in our world today.” She said that it was during this time, under Emperor Constantine, that Christians started gathering in churches for worship, instead of meeting at homes, because the gathering of Christians, before this time, was not allowed by world rulers.
However, the church has adopted a date for the celebration of Christmas, and it is the 25th of December every year in the Western church, while the Eastern Orthodox celebrates Christmas on the 7th of January every year.
Pope Leo’s message for this year’s Christmas
The Head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, in his Christmas message this year, has emphasized the need for peace, brotherliness and the need to allow Jesus Christ to be the driver of our lives.
According to the Catholic pontiff, the Nativity scene, shown in churches on Christmas eve, where Jesus Christ is given birth in a manger, among commoners as well as the Christmas tree are symbols of faith and hope, calling on Christians to contemplate these symbols.
Calling for peace all over the world, Pope Leo XIV called for prayers for those who are suffering as a result of war and violence, urging Christians to eliminate hatred from their hearts.
The story of Christmas today cannot be complete without the mention of Santa Claus. Who we know today as Santa Claus is the Latin version of Saint Nicholas, who was a fourth-century bishop from the port city of Myra in modern day Turkey. His acts of generosity gave him the name, Father Christmas, believed to have interceded on behalf of prisoners who were wrongly condemned, provided gifts for children who didn’t have to celebrate during this festive season as well as saved sailors from storm
Devotion to St. Nicholas spread during the Middle Ages across Europe and he became a favorite subject for medieval artists and liturgical plays. He is the patron saint of sailors and children, as well as of Greece, Russia and New York.
Devotion to St. Nicholas seems to have faded after the 16th century Protestant Reformation, except in the Netherlands, where his legend remained as Sinterklaas. In the 17th century, Dutch Protestants who settled in New York brought the Sinterklaas tradition with them.
It is a merry Christmas everywhere. As this Christmas greetings rent the air, Nigerians become charged with protective feelings of a new season, the ending of the year. It is the birthday of our lord Jesus Christ, as all Christians hold, which must be celebrated with reverence and honor because Jesus is the son of God.
December 25 every calendar year is very significant and symbolic. It is a day set aside globally for Christian worshipers. In Nigeria, the governments have, this year as always, shown concern by painting buildings and offices with national colours, demonstrating exemplary neatness. Public and private organizations have equally shown respect for this global festival or season by painting and giving their business premises a new look. Even individual compounds and belongings are dazzling with beauty and aesthetic decorations. Children and the youths are seen throwing knockouts. In the evenings they go round the compounds doing Boba jobs. They are crisscrossing the streets in dancing groups and being cheered by onlookers and given money. Some appear in Father Christmas attire as they dance to ‘Jingle Bell’ music, giving out gifts to the public. These have created a general scenario of peace, love, joy and celebration.
Christmas season is promoting the spirit of Christ among our folds. The spirit of “love your neighbour as you love yourself.” The spirit of giving to others, especially those who don’t have, it also enthrones the spirit of reconciliation amongst people that have not been on talking terms, just as it occasions the coming together of loved ones who have been at distance from one another.
Christmas is the season when, in some societies, development unions hold their annual congresses or meetings to discuss important issues concerning the development of their societies or communities? Giant projects on education as well as infrastructural development are embarked on in the spirit of Christmas celebration.
Apart from the advantage that Christmas re-unites Nigerians and affords them the opportunity to shower love on others. It is also a time for Nigerians to discuss or assess their past performances and form new pressure groups, take decisions and press on the government for results.
Recently, speculations filled the air that terrorists were planning to destabilize this year’s Christmas celebration by carrying out attacks, in line with their antagonism against western civilization. This rumour or speculations have created fears, especially among the Christian believers. Thus, a strong warning has been passed to the churches against holding tarry nights that last overnight.
Again, Christian gatherings should be fortified with serious security measures to ensure the safety of lives and property during the 2025 Christmas celebration.
Contrary to these expectations, President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians of a peaceful Christmas celebration. Christmas, therefore, would not be a disaster for Nigeria.
There is supporting practical evidence that confirms seriousness in the president’s statement that this year’s Christmas celebration shall be peaceful. One, the United States of America, USA, security delegation to Nigeria is participating in the mapping of terrorists’ enclaves before engaging the terrorists in some parts of the country.
Besides, some state governors from Muslim dominated states of northern Nigeria are showing great concern for their Christian brothers by distributing gifts and attending Christmas functions marked by churches as a sign of love and oneness.
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has said that the prayers of religious leaders, their counsel and steadfast commitment to peace played a vital role in sustaining stability in his state. The governor spoke last Sunday at a Christmas carol held in the Yar’Adua Hall, Murtala Square in Kaduna, which was organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN.
Governor Uba added that “on each occasion, I am reminded, with renewed clarity, that faith remains one of the most enduring bridges to unity, healing and collective progress in our society. He went further to say that Christmas was not just the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, but a season that speaks, gently yet powerfully, of love, sacrifice, humility, compassion and selfless service.
These virtues, he observed, “transcend religious boundaries and speak directly to our shared humanity. Christmas challenges us not merely to rejoice, but to live differently, to become better neighbors, fairer leaders and more compassionate citizens.” The governor said he attended the Christmas carol by choice, conviction and commitment. According to him, such gatherings renew hope and reconnect us to the timeless values that bind us together as a people. “I stand before you, not merely as your governor, but as a fellow citizen, one who seeks renewed inspiration at a season of profound meaning for Christmas across the world.”
In a similar vein, the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, is said to have distributed essential food items to widows and the vulnerable members of the Christian community in preparation for the upcoming Christmas celebration. Over six million (6,000,000) people are said to have benefited from the exercise.
Taking the above into profound consideration, we look at Christmas as a very important factor in national integration through cultural renaissance, social rejuvenation and psychological upliftment. Also, the gospel, “love your neighbor as yourself” is made relevant in national development by showing and giving true love to our fellows.
Thus, every religion must show true love to their fellows and promote peace and harmony.
