Every December 25th millions of Americans, Christians and non-Christians alike celebrate xmas. For the majority of Americans, most especially children, xmas is the favorite holiday of the year. It is the time for friends and family to come together to exchange gifts and enjoy delicious Home Cooked meals. For some relatively few orthodox American Christian, xmas is one of the holiest days of the year but they don’t go to church on xmas day unless it falls on a Sunday.
For American businesses and industries, xmas is a very valuable holiday, not because of the spirit of the season it brings, but because of the revenue it generates. Being in America for over five years now I find it accurate to say that xmas is one of the busiest and the most profitable time of the year here in America.
So, is this the right way to celebrate xmas? What really is the meaning of xmas? Wait a second, if xmas is a Christian holiday as many claim, then why do non-Christian celebrate xmas?
I wish there were solution manuals to help me answer these questions. Although I can’t fully answer those question, there is one thing I could do: I will tell you how we, west Africans, Liberians to be specific celebrate xmas
Like America, in majority of the West African States, xmas is considered a Christian holiday and it is treated as such. However, unlike America, going to church on xmas regardless of the day of the week on which it falls is a necessity. Additionally, xmas in Liberia and other west African states is a time for communal festivities, not just a time to exchange gifts among family members, a common practice mostly observed in the American Culture.
There is how it is done in Liberia: On Xmas eve, people go to church. They play music, dance, preach, and pray all night long. When daybreak, everyone goes home and kill the best chicken, goat, sheep, or cow he or she might have. They share the meat with the people in the neighborhood. Every household cook the best meal and instead of just gathering friends and family to enjoy this delicious meal, people take all the food they have prepared to the church. At the church, everyone, Christians and non-Christians included are invited. Every church hosts a huge fest.
Man…., I miss this soooo much! It was just a blast! This was the best time of the year. People from every tribe or religion came together and no one purchases gifts for anyone but we all just enjoy the blessings the Lord has bestowed on us. This was amazing!!!
Think is what xmas celebration ought to be like. Xmas is not a time for just friends and family to gather together, it is a time to invite those people across the street that you have never talked to into your home. Instead of buying presents, take that money you were going to spend to purchase new iPad and use it to cook a delicious meal. Take the meal to the church and invite people, whether believers or not to come join you in celebrating the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon you.
