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By Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu
As the countdown to Christmas reaches its final days, many hearts are restless. For some, the season arrives with joy and gratitude; for others, it comes with quiet anxiety, a sense of being late, unfulfilled, or left behind by dreams yet unrealized. Yet Christmas, at its core, was never meant to be a competition of achievements or a measurement of success. It is a solemn and joyous reminder of the God of love—whose compassion, mercy, and kindness toward humanity remain constant, regardless of time, status, or circumstance.
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, whose life and message centered on love, humility, and service to others. It is a season that calls humanity back to its conscience, urging us to remember that true fulfillment does not come from wealth, titles, or outward celebration, but from love expressed in action. In this sense, Christmas is not only a Christian festival; it is a universal invitation to kindness. Christians are reminded that love for humanity is a sacred principle, deeply rooted in faith, moral teaching, and communal life.
Sadly, this season, which should glow with goodwill, is often overshadowed by dark realities. As families prepare for celebration, evil works of darkness seem to intensify. Kidnapping, ritual killings, fraud, and violent crimes rise, turning a time of peace into a period of fear for many. This contradiction should trouble every conscience. A society that celebrates love in words while permitting hatred, exploitation, and violence in action has lost the true meaning of the season. If Christmas must mean anything at all, it must mean a deliberate rejection of cruelty and a conscious embrace of compassion.
Love is not sentimental weakness; it is moral strength. It requires listening—truly listening—to the emotions, pains, and unspoken struggles of others. Much harm in our society is not caused by poverty alone, but by insensitivity. When people are unheard, ignored, or emotionally dismissed, bitterness grows, and bitterness often breeds violence. To listen is to prevent harm. To understand feelings is to reduce exploitation. If we learn to pause and consider how our words and actions affect others, many wounds—physical and emotional—would never be inflicted.
Our world today appears increasingly filled with hatred and envy. Success is often greeted with suspicion rather than celebration. Many no longer wish to see others rise, fearing that another’s progress diminishes their own. This spirit has quietly eroded communal bonds, especially in societies once known for shared life and collective responsibility. In parts of Southern Nigeria, particularly among the Igbo, community and reunion were once sacred values. Yet today, many wealthy individuals no longer return to their villages during festive seasons. Instead, they choose distant vacations with spouses or friends, avoiding the communal spaces where relationships are renewed and burdens shared.
This withdrawal is not merely about comfort or security; it reflects a deeper breakdown of trust and love. When the successful separate themselves from their roots, communities weaken, and younger generations lose examples of shared responsibility. A society cannot thrive when individual success replaces collective progress. Christmas challenges us to return—not only physically to our communities, but emotionally and morally to the values that once held us together. Bitterness, more than any external factor, remains a major cause of unproductivity. A bitter heart cannot build, create, or sustain peace. It drains energy that should be used for growth and innovation. While governance and leadership matter, it is unwise to place all blame on government or those in power. Societies grow when citizens learn gratitude, stewardship, and cooperation. To celebrate what we have—however small—is to position ourselves for more. Complaints may express pain, but gratitude attracts progress.
As Christmas approaches, let us remember that if you do not love, you cannot expect to be shown love. Love given freely returns multiplied. Let this season be a time of reflection rather than rivalry, of compassion rather than comparison. In celebrating the God of love, may we become vessels of that love—healing wounds, restoring community, and choosing kindness over bitterness. Only then can Christmas truly become the jubilation it was meant to be.
•Toochukwu writes from Living Grace Restoration Assembly Inc. Nkono-Ekwulobia Anambra State
