WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME!!!

Hey guys!

Its that time of the year when the world celebrates. Every song you hear seems to say; Merry Christmas!!!!!

It was with so much joy and anticipation that I looked forward to Christmas when we would sometimes, travel to the village to see grandparents and other relatives, throw Christmas parties that would last all night long on Christmas eve, go to church to give thanks to God the following morning, have the church choir visit our homes to sing Christmas carols, send Christmas cards and presents to family members and friends, crawl under the tree, pull out the presents and rip off the paper, dress up in new dresses to see Santa, serve turkey, chicken, goat or ram alongside with other traditional meals like pounded yam, jollof rice, vegetable salad and many more.

At the end of the day, a very common question would be ‘Did you get everything you wanted’?

Truth is, I never got everything I wanted as a kid and I’m happy I dint! I guess my parents had the best intentions which I am thankful for today. Over the years I've grown wry about Christmas, I've gotten tired of all the shopping, the firecrackers, the vacations, parties and all sorts. I decided to take a moment to reflect on the main point of Christmas and with the help of the book of Luke, (particularly chapter 1 vs 53), I was able to get a better understanding of the true meaning of Christmas.

When Mary realized she was pregnant for Jesus (our king and Savior), she sang a song and my favorite part of it was; ‘He has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty’(deep!). Luke 2 vs 12 also says ‘And this would be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger'. Where am I going with this? Jesus was a king yet; he wasn't born in a palace or laid in a cradle of gold, lined with costly silks. He was born in a manger amongst animals with his very first visitors being lowly shepherds from the fields. What does this signify?

3 Things:

1. He was laid in a manger to demonstrate the extent of his poverty. ‘Though he was rich yet, for your sakes he became poor, that you, through his poverty might become rich’ (2 Corinthians 8:9).
2. He was laid in a manger to show his contempt for worldly riches and pomp. ‘That which is highly esteemed amongst men is an abomination in the sight of God’ (Luke 16:15).
3. He was laid in a manger to mark his identification with human suffering and wretchedness.

What do these then tell us about Christmas? It’s not about riches wealth and material things or the big things like parties, shopping and vacations. It’s about the little things like love and compassion.

Here are my thoughts on what Christmas means to me.

Christmas means a time to be with those who care about you

It means presents for and from you

It means lights trees and decorations

It means friends family and conversations

It means chicken drinks and celebrations

It means lowly shepherds, animals and a small little manger

It means that some people aren’t being cared for

It means no presents for and from them

It means no lights or trees but darkness

It means no friends or families but loneliness

It means no chicken drinks or celebrations

It means those who have much love in their lives can share with those who don’t have

It means a chance to make a real difference in the lives of others

It means each and everyone has the ability to make a positive impact

It means compassion.

At a time of the year where most people celebrate their good fortune with food, wine, beer and cheer, there are families out there who may not be able to be together. There are children who do not have parents, parents who cannot provide for their children, sick people and their families praying for good health and many others. We may not be able to give them what they need or pray for, we may not be able to change their future or their pasts but we can help to make their day just a little brighter. It’s not about what’s under the tree, holiday specials, sugar cookies, shopping, and vacations or about getting all you ever wanted. December 25 is really about selflessness, kindness, love and compassion which were the things Christ portrayed.

The best Christmas gifts I received this year, maybe ever, were the smiles and looks on the children’s faces as I showed up with the little presents, shared my warm greetings, prayers and basically spent the most part of my day with them. This is what I find fulfilling and this is what Christmas means to me.

What does Christmas mean to you? Please feel free to share or leave a comment in the box below.