For the Christmas season, the ecstasy, charisma, reunion, beautiful feeling and moment, mixed weather and happiness that comes with it is unquantifiable. Christmas is that special moment one recognizes with ease because of its message, what it brings with it and the celebrations around it. The beautiful elegant decorations, special Christmas trees, rays of mild and deep harmattan, eruption of beautiful fresh roses, hazy dusts, the usual movement of the people, unending parties, all time celebrations; all identify with the season of Christmas. Yet, there is life after Christmas.
There would always be quality life after 2024 Christmas celebrations despite all the challenges faced by the citizens. It has been a roller-coaster year for all and sundry. Not even suckling babies were exempted from the ruckus of the time. Children are the most hit because there is serious reduction in the quality of their food, beverages, biscuits and most edibles that excite them because of the hardship experienced this year. The weight of the economic situation rested on homes. With the high cost of living especially foodstuff, almost caused a total collapse of the system as hunger, anger, bitterness and betrayal of trust got to the peak. The masses were left to bear the brunt of the harsh times as they struggled to survive the situation. Despite the dislocation brought about by the adverse evonomy, yet life will continue to happen to the living.
You have gotten to this point in the year and survived the drama of high cost of foodstuffs, exorbitant fuel and transportation situation, and the unimaginable foreign exchange rates that drove prices sky high. Only the living who witnessed the drama can tell the story of this year. Thank God there would be life after the Christmas celebration.
Everyone should take the Christmas season very easy. All should be mindful of their expenses knowing there is life after Christmas. Every expenditure should come in the order of preference with more emphasis on foodstuffs. Some families can step down on clothing and unnecessary Christmas drama. The old ones could be washed and ironed to enjoy the season because the season will always come as far as there is life. For people who are competition experts, this is not the time. You should not compare yourself with anybody, or feel oppressed by the situation on ground. Every person has his or her own story. Let no one think there is no achievement in the year because surviving the hassles of the rough economy is enough achievement for the year. Knowing that an early morning school bell that sounds as a disturbance also sounds interesting at 2:00pm.
It is for all to also know that life is a matter of time. That one still has the breath at this time of the year is one’s greatest achievement. It is quite rough, but let no one forget that a red rose that smells better than tomato cannot cook sweet stew like tomato. Draw back into yourself and discover what works best for you during the Christmas celebration knowing that there is life ever after. I call all survivors of year 2024 winners because they did not quit the year.
Interestingly, year 2024 Christmas message is simple. Work and walk according to one’s meagre budget. Men, do not forget you must see Christmas list on your tables which include long distance travelling expenses especially for Easterners, visit to places of interests, new clothes and shoes, accessories, expectations of sumptuous meals and pure Christmas celebrations. It is a ritual. Christmas is celebrated no matter how bad, yet one should do it with every sense of responsibility. Kindly, do not trash the list away in anger. Call in your woman and sort out the list amicably. Then madam would know how to manage the children and other relatives. Most importantly, you can deny yourselves as a couple, but do not deny your parents. Honour them during the season respectively. Fathers do not forget that the season is also a payback time for your family. Therefore, it should not call for wrestling or flexing of muscles rather be sorted out harmoniously knowing that there is life after Christmas.
In fairness to various households, Christmas is worth enjoying but if it could not be afforded, let all understand and bear it because there is life after Christmas. This is not the time to show off at all. For the regular travelers, this might not be the best time because of the cost. While enjoying the yuletide, remember that all school’s compulsorily would resume in the second week of January 2025 with house rent following closely. Then other bills yearning to be settled. Good or bad, the home must function. Sure, life must happen after Christmas.
Again, the season is not for families alone but for friends, well-wishers, Corporate Organizations and Churches to support others during the season. Whoever that can help each other, please do so, things are hard and tough. Kudos to various Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)’s who have started gathering widows and the less privileged to celebrate the yuletide by extending their human milk of kindness to them. I have seen some visit the Heart of Gold’s Hospice, Surulere and SOS children Village at Isolo. That is the spirit for the season.
To the wicked givers, this is not an opportunity to display wickedness in the name of giving. Those who would send just a bag of rice to a whole community, to be shared with a milk-cup size. It is ridiculous. Simply know you are mocking yourself and the community, not celebration them per se.’ It will be more honorable to pick a few men or women and celebrate with them bountifully instead of embarrassing yourself and others.
Again, the Christmas season has specific definition, because whenever the time comes, people make massive adjustments from nothing to continuous entertainment and celebration. Even as the year 2024 came with its multiple challenges; Christmas must be celebrated and enjoyed to the fullest. It has registered in so many subconscious minds and preparations have started earnestly for many individuals and families.
Most travelers are ready to bear the cut-throat price of inter-state transporters so as to meet up with the season. After the tears of expensive cost of transportation, the reunion with loved ones that comes with Christmas is unquantifiable. Relatives especially grandparents look forward to welcoming their children and grand-children home during the festive period. It is the opportunity where children are taken round their communities at least to improve on their local dialects.
In all the cheerful celebration, the greatest gift of the season would be a total repentance for both men and women. What are the errors that is about to tear your marriage down? Where are siblings who cannot see eye ball to eyeball. Where are the masters and madams that refused to settle their apprentices for an error that could be overlooked? Who are the corporate heads that must steal and sleep with all female staff before they could be promoted? Who are transporters who want to make all wealth with the year 2024 Christmas season? Where are those petroleum marketers whose pocket celebrates as citizens groan in hardship.
Dear Nigerians as the clock of Christmas ticks closer, the greatest Christmas gift one would give to himself or herself is a gift of humanity. Knowing that there would be life after Christmas, who can I support at this period. It might be the next-door neighbor, a long-time friend who have fallen apart. It could also be an abandoned relative in prison. Every support must not be tied to finances, a surprise wake-up call can re-awaken an expired relationship. A visit too might keep the person in good faith throughout the season. And off course, cash gifts, edibles, payment of other lingering bills for others, cancelling of bills owed, touching lives in any little way one can for the season is the greatest gift.