THE EVILS OF CHRISTMAS

THE EVILS OF CHRISTMAS
Article by: Austin brako (University of Ghana, Legon) +233 242 62 81 64

“A long time ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Bible say, Mary born child Jesus Christ was born on Christmas day”, went the famous Christmas carol.

It cannot be gainsaid that, the Yale tide is filled with a lot of merry making in almost all homes the world over. Christmas lights, trees, teddy birds, slaughtering of animals like goats, fowls, turkeys and sheep among others, expensive shopping, discount by shop owners and gift
shops, carnivals and carol services in most churches are all features of Christmas.

Christmas, a celebration which is associated with the worshippers of Jesus Christ is widely upheld and the month December every year is seen as the birth month of the savior of mankind.

In essence, the month December is sacred to Christians all over the world. Church and carol services are held in honor of the “child” Jesus. December is the closing month of every year and that explains why almost all synagogues over flow with members most especially those who have not been to church throughout the year.

These persons are known as “yearly church goers” and have for some years used the December synagogue visitations as avenues to pour out their sins and asked for forgiveness from God and also opportunities to seek overflowing abundance of blessings for the coming year.

Spiritually, Christmas celebrations should be seen as moments of rekindling our love and covenant with the savior of mankind but the contrary plays. Christmas is rather seen as mediums of amassing wealth from folks in the society.

Church leaders go to their wit end to milk a “chunk” of money from their church members’ largely poor folks.

The “begging community” also draws out their resolutions to reposition themselves at vantage points in order to get a windfall both poor and rich alike.

The Police men and women of Ghana strengthen their bribery attitude and arrest people especially drivers at the least provocation only to end up “begging” you for money.

Confidence Tricksters also get ready to hoodwink innocent men and women in the country and do away with their Christmas salaries and allowances.

An incident occurred in Kumasi last year December, 2009 while I was on a visit. A mother with a baby child saddle at her back was spotted crying aloud due to the fact that, the money she had on her had been snatched from her.

My word! A whooping GH¢150.00 has been taken out of this innocent woman.

Fellow Africans, but for the above incidents and many more, Christmas will have been phenomenal and significant to our souls.

Anyway, are you getting ready for the Yale tide? Where are you doing your shopping for the celebration? Any place to recommend?

Augrako4gh@gmail.com