TakingITGlobal - Panorama

Published on: Mar 30, 2004

Topic:

Type: Opinions

https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=3077

Cameroon is one of the many counties in the world where Christmas (December 25th), is always celebrated with pomp and pageantry. The dust that this celebration raises seems to get greater and thicker each year. Though the celebration in itself can be considered alright, the consequences that stem from it cannot be considered as such. In fact more often than not, these consequences defeat the original reasons of the celebration.

Christmas is obviously the feast day that is most abused and desecrated. Originally, it is the day that Christians believe that Jesus Christ was born. Without getting into the religious politics as to whether December 25th is the appropriate date for this celebration, we need to however note that it is supposed to be strictly a religious feast. But when we make a review of past celebrations, it is quite clear that the spiritual aspect is largely lacking.

Preparations for Christmas, which characterise the end of every year, are most often centred on the acquisition of new dresses, new shoes, etc, with little or no regard for spiritual preparations. It is even more disturbing to note that the absence of these things often leads to quarrels, fights, and divorces… in preparation for the coming of Christ! The coming of Christ therefore seems to bring disorder, disunity, and hatred –completely contrary to His mission to this world.

The situation is often worse on the Christmas Day itself. A large number of “Christians” fail to go to church on this day, because they are too busy cooking sumptuous meals - for what? - Surely not for Christ’s coming (Christmas). The evenings of this day are characterised by over-drinking following closely on the heels of over-feeding. The large quantities of alcohol that are consumed on this day beat those of any other day, no doubt therefore that there is always a high level of drunkenness on this day.

Another irony in the whole thing is the fact that non-Christians seem to celebrate Christmas with more zeal than the Christians themselves. Considering the fact that they do not believe in Christ, one wonders why it is that they really do not believe in Christ. One wonders what it is that they really celebrate on this day. Is it just an opportunity to eat to their fill and drink to drunkenness?

The aftermath of Christmas has often been a source of worry to me (and maybe to others, who are observant, as well). Life is pursued with so much reluctance; people get up very late from sleep (because most return home in the early hours of the next morning). Hospitals are often full of cases of accidents (wreck less driving from drunkenness, or fights), excessive feeding, and other resultant effects of this holy day.

The Christmas celebration needs a serious rethinking. In its present form, it is nothing short of an outrage and a sacrilege. The celebration is completely an opposite of the raison d’être of this day. Christmas remains an important day (especially to Christians), whose commemoration cannot and should not be discouraged.

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by AJI JAMES
Published on: Mar 30, 2004
Topic:
Type: Opinions
https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=3077


Cameroon is one of the many counties in the world where Christmas (December 25th), is always celebrated with pomp and pageantry. The dust that this celebration raises seems to get greater and thicker each year. Though the celebration in itself can be considered alright, the consequences that stem from it cannot be considered as such. In fact more often than not, these consequences defeat the original reasons of the celebration. Christmas is obviously the feast day that is most abused and desecrated. Originally, it is the day that Christians believe that Jesus Christ was born. Without getting into the religious politics as to whether December 25th is the appropriate date for this celebration, we need to however note that it is supposed to be strictly a religious feast. But when we make a review of past celebrations, it is quite clear that the spiritual aspect is largely lacking. Preparations for Christmas, which characterise the end of every year, are most often centred on the acquisition of new dresses, new shoes, etc, with little or no regard for spiritual preparations. It is even more disturbing to note that the absence of these things often leads to quarrels, fights, and divorces… in preparation for the coming of Christ! The coming of Christ therefore seems to bring disorder, disunity, and hatred –completely contrary to His mission to this world. The situation is often worse on the Christmas Day itself. A large number of “Christians” fail to go to church on this day, because they are too busy cooking sumptuous meals - for what? - Surely not for Christ’s coming (Christmas). The evenings of this day are characterised by over-drinking following closely on the heels of over-feeding. The large quantities of alcohol that are consumed on this day beat those of any other day, no doubt therefore that there is always a high level of drunkenness on this day. Another irony in the whole thing is the fact that non-Christians seem to celebrate Christmas with more zeal than the Christians themselves. Considering the fact that they do not believe in Christ, one wonders why it is that they really do not believe in Christ. One wonders what it is that they really celebrate on this day. Is it just an opportunity to eat to their fill and drink to drunkenness? The aftermath of Christmas has often been a source of worry to me (and maybe to others, who are observant, as well). Life is pursued with so much reluctance; people get up very late from sleep (because most return home in the early hours of the next morning). Hospitals are often full of cases of accidents (wreck less driving from drunkenness, or fights), excessive feeding, and other resultant effects of this holy day. The Christmas celebration needs a serious rethinking. In its present form, it is nothing short of an outrage and a sacrilege. The celebration is completely an opposite of the raison d’être of this day. Christmas remains an important day (especially to Christians), whose commemoration cannot and should not be discouraged. « return.