The phrase, Christ, the reason for the season has now become an anthem for the Christmas festivities, with Ghanaians losing what made Christmas fun and worth celebrating back in the day.
Do not get me wrong, I am not saying we should celebrate Christmas without remembering the birth of Christ, His love, mercies and saving grace.
But just as His birth was marked with merry making, the sharing of gifts (there was also the pursuit of King Herod for His head but let’s not dwell on that for now) and many fun stuff, present day Christmas festivities have lost that touch.
I am not that young neither am I that old, but I clearly remember what Christmas was about back then. It was not only fun and full of merry making but the greatest aspect was the communal spirit. The spirit of giving and sharing.
Back then, every home makes sure their fridges and cabinets are filled with bisucuits and sweets because they expected kids in their neighbourhoods to come and wish them well during the holiday period (our own version of trick or treat).
Kids are excited to visit homes of their neighbours and wish them well because they know, they will receive some gifts. That promoted respect and love in our communities with everyone in the neighbourhood being each other’s keeper.
I remember vividly how our neighbours also shared the little they had with our family and us doing same. This showed we could all rely on each other in times of need and not necessarily because of what each party will get from the other.
But now, we hardly see that anymore with each person being ‘selfish’ (I know you’re feeling guilty). Ooh, and the few who give out gifts only do so because they will need favours from those they are gifting.
Now, the question is, does the show of love mean we should be good to those we know and need or it means we should love just like Christ did? With no favour and restriction but unconditional.
Let us all come together, revive the ‘party’ of Christmas. Better still, we can make Christmas an everyday affair by touching the lives of the needy and less privileged on a daily.