The Bible speaks of John the Baptist, the herald that came to prepare the way for He that the Igbo call “Okpara Chineke, Onye nzoputa,” Son of God, the Deliverer. To those who approached asking if he was Jesus Christ, the Saviour they were waiting for, John said: “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’”
Before John, angel Gabriel had been sent into the city of Galilee named Nazareth, to Virgin Mary, who was betrothed to a carpenter named Joseph. He told Mary that because she had found favour with God she shall bear in her womb a son whose name shall be called Jesus: “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest… And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever.”
The Bible affirms that all these happened to fulfil the spoken word of the Lord: “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which, being interpreted is, God with us.”
A Christmas Carol recalls, “Long time ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Bible say,” and affirms, “Mary’s boy child, Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.” The song encourages all to “Hark now, hear the angels sing, a new king born today,” before finally proclaiming, “And man will live forevermore because of Christmas Day.”
You must love the aspect that suggests that Christmas is the guarantee of eternity!
With Baby Jesus swaddled in the Bethlehem manger, as the Nativity Scene depicts, an angel appeared, and announced, unto some country shepherds: “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
Reports say that as the angel shared this news, suddenly there was with the angels a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, (and) goodwill to all men.” The shepherds then returned to their homes, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told to them.
And from that day, the story continues, Christians and their friends, whom history brought under the influence of the Judeo-Christian traditions forged by the Holy Roman Empire, began to celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Jesus. In appreciation of the gift of the Son of God, “in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness for sins,” Apostle Paul told the Colossians to give thanks to God.
Puerto Rican singer and songwriter, Jose Felciano, was sufficiently inspired in 1970 to write the song, “Feliz Navidad,’ to celebrate Christmas. He sang in Spanish, “Feliz Navidad, prosperoaro felicidad,” which means, “Merry Christmas, and prosperous (new) year and happiness.”
Bonnie M, the American pop group, based in Germany, popularised the song considered one of the most played Christmas songs in the world. They joyously belt out: “I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart.”
But as in practically all things, there are academic arguments that December 25 is not quite, couldn’t have been, the birthday of Jesus: That the date actually coincides with the worship of a deity of the previous heathen Roman Empire. This school of thought claims that some old heathen feasts have become church festivals.
According to “The Bible as History,” by Werner Keller, “December 25 is referred to in the documents as Christmas Day in A.D. 324 for the first time. Under Emperor Julian, it was recognised as an official holiday. An old Roman festival played a major part in the choice of this particular day.
“December 25 in ancient Rome was the ‘Dies Natali Invicticus,’ the birthday of the unconquered… and… in Rome, the last day of Saturnalia, (the supposed birthday of the sun) which had long since degenerated into a week of unbridled carnival.”
Meteorologists have taken a second look at Luke 2:8 which says, “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” They argue that “as Christmas-time (must be) in the grip of frost,” they doubt that Jesus Christ could have been born at such a time when animals and shepherds should be avoiding the cold.
The narration that shepherds were keeping watch when Christ was born, they added, suggests a warm weather, and not a cold, wintry December time! Well, the jury is out on this one. Nothing stops excited folks from defying the cold.
Despite the argument, Hallmark, the greeting cards company, leading the entire international Christmas Business Machine, reminds the world of this wonderful season of joy and goodwill. Since the “invention” of Christmas, the CBM has dutifully passed the offering can, via the cash register, at gift shops, fashion shops, eating places, and vacation spots.
Many Nigerian TV stations religiously mount what Lagos Television, that started the idea, tagged “Father Christmas Village.” It’s a temporary amusement park with a Father Christmas, bouncing castle, music, revue, and gifts. It digs substantial holes in the pockets of parents and guardians whose children and wards demand a good seasonal treat. Someone’s Tee-shirt offers: “Without Christ, there is no Christmas.”
But at Christmas, Christians should consider the insight offered by the Bible book, Song of Solomon, an anthology of poetry, on the love between Christ and His Body, the Church, or Christ and the individual Christian. Find this expression not strange, as some Bible scholars have suggested that Christ sees all as if they were one, and loves one as if one were all.
The Song is a testimony of the espousal of the Church to Jesus. That should explain why this season of joy, goodwill, and love is at the birthday of Christ; the love of Christ, so goes the argument, is enough reason for Christians and the world to celebrate His birthday.
If you buy into this, heed the Yoruba Christmas song, “Keresimesi lo ma de o eyineniyan. E yo, e bereke fi josi se,” Christmas is here again O ye people, rejoice, bend and dance away. Do this because another song, with lyrics from the Bible Book of Revelation, testifies, “Worthy, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain,” and proclaims, “Glory hallelujah, praise the Lord.”
PUNCH
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