By Seyi Babalola
Nigerian Christians join their counterparts from the rest of the world by weekend to celebrate Christmas Day, noted as a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, a word of caution has gone to Christians to observe three commandments that if abided with could give them more peace of mind during and after the festivities.
According to Mrs Esther Omowunmi Oku, the first commandment is for Christians to dress in moderation during the Christmas if they cannot afford new clothes, shoes, bags or other adornments. The celebration is about the birth of Jesus Christ not yours. Do not dress more than the celebrant. Do not over reach yourself.
If you do not have money for a new cloth, wear the one you had before and make merry. Do not over dress. Don’t dress more than the celebrant. Don’t compete with the celebrant on his day. Wear what you have. Let your children wear what they have. Don’t bother if you do not have money for a new cloth or a new shoe. Don’t bother if you cannot get a new perfume or a new powder for your face. It is not your birthday yet, it is Jesus’ own.
The second commandment you need to take note of as a Christian is eat what you have and don’t go into debt because you want to eat the best on Jesus’ birthday. Eat in moderation. Eat what you can afford. “If you cannot afford to take yourself to eatery, eat what you can afford. Don’t stress yourself over what you cannot afford. You don’t need to go borrowing because of Jesus’ birthday. There is life after the birthday. If it is Maraconi or rice you have, if it is beans you have, if it is bread you can afford, eat it with pride and don’t eat yourselves up because you cannot afford something better.
The third commandment which also needed to be kept to heart is that you do not need to travel to your village if it is not affordable. Remember, Jesus was not born in your village. Your village is not Bethlehem. If you cannot afford it, stay where you are, don’t go home. Let anyone who must see you come and see you wherever you are. Stay where you are and enjoy Christmas with peace of mind.
Do you agree with her assertions? Let’s have your views on the need for moderation in celebrations during the yuletide?