2012 Christmas: Was it Really Merry

The long awaited Christmas season has come and gone, but not without mixed feelings Nigerians. Christmas which is said to be the most-celebrated festive season in the world also heralds activities that mark the end of the year, while preparing people’s mind towards the incoming year. It is a time and season people look forwards to for so many reasons. Especially, as it is usually loaded with activities that offer both individuals and corporate bodies some kind of relief from the hustling and bustling of life as it ushers people into festive and celebration mood. The season is synonymous with love, and this is felt in many places as people in different forms such as corporate bodies, individuals send and receive gifts during this season. For charity homes, everyday should be Christmas. It is a time of the year philanthropy is at its peak, especially to the less privileged.

Globally, it is a time and period set aside by Christians for the remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ. The wave and influence of this season is so strong that both Christians and non-Christians are attracted to it. It is a merry making season. Most companies have their businesses and books of accounts closed during this period. Interestingly, this creates opportunity for most business organizations and people in particular to go on holiday during the yuletide season, thereby giving people the opportunity to relax with their families as well as keep in touch with their loved ones. Importantly, it is a time for sharing the love of Christ abroad, caring, sharing and expressing real love for others.  It is a time of stock taking, relaxation, and visiting friends and places of interest.

Being an annual event that attracts so much attention, businesses expect a boom around this season, no matter how bad the economy might have been. However, during this season, there are some businesses that specially experience increased patronage and boom in the general sense of it; they include food items, clothing, toys, bangers and fireworks, transportation, etc. 

Counting down on the events that took place this season, the 2012 yuletide season can say to have come and gone with mixed feelings. Indeed, the 2012 Christmas season has come and gone, however, not without leaving different tales on the lips and minds of people. For some, it’s cheering and pleasant, and for others, it is tales of woes and some indelible marks in the hearts.  

   

On 25^th December, while Christian Worshippers were at their different worship centers, the dare devil came knocking as the radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram attacked – bombing St. Theresa’s Church in Suleja, Niger State, killing at least 35 people. The Second Christmas Day explosion that took place near a church in Jos, Plateau State left a policeman dead. While in Yobe State, a suicide bomber attacked Yobe State Command Headquarters of the Department of State Security Services, SSS, resulting in the death of three persons.

The 26^th day of every December is meant to be a gift day. And Lagosian were not left out, as some residents and shop owners in Jankara area of Lagos Island, woke up to receive a horrible one – a gift of fire that has left them with counting their losses – human and material. On that fateful day, while people were relaxing from the Christmas day hangover, a residential building which serves as a warehouse for bangers and fireworks exploded leaving one dead, scores wounded while about 15 houses and properties worth of millions of naira were razed.

Pointing our flash light on the road crashes, the Federal Road Safety Corps has it that as at 27^th of December 2012, that the nation had recorded 191 road accidents that claimed about 94 lives. While not sounding as a prophet of doom, intuitively, the figure may still increase, given the fact that travelers are yet to return to their base after the Christmas break.

On Saturday, December 29, a clash between Fulani herdsmen and indigenous Gwari at Gwako, Gwagwalada Local Government, Federal Capital Territory, claimed two lives, with no fewer than 1,500 persons displaced. This is just but a few of such events that characterized the 2012 Christmas season. What a Christmas! Nigerians being the strong and lion-hearted people we are, will always find in it our stride to push on. Yet, the reality remains, that Nigerians celebrated 2012 Christmas amidst tears and anguish. What can we say? Nigerians are happy! Aren’t we? And the late music legend, described it as “suffering and smiling”. Nigerians look forward for a real Christmas celebration, one filled with the joy of the season and not one laced with violence and blood.