The Purpose Of Christmas

NEWS COMMENTARY ON THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTMAS

By Kofi Amponsah Bediako, Consultant in Development Communication

The season of Christmas is celebrated every year to signify peace, joy and prosperity for all men on earth. It is celebrated by Christians and non-Christians, making it one of the greatest events celebrated by everyone in the world. The celebration of Christmas begins a few days before the actual event on December 25th when various preparations are made to get inputs for the celebration. During this preparation, plans are put in place to ensure that the celebration takes place in a peaceful and cordial manner. This is not only examined from the Christian perspective but from the perspective of non-Christians as well. The normal practice is to see people celebrating the occasion in joy and extending goodwill and happiness to people around them. It must be noted however that Christmas is religious in kind because Christians believe that the Saviour of the world came to mankind to save him from misery and bring joy and happiness to mankind. Having celebrated Christmas for a long time, it will be difficult for this occasion to be wiped off, meaning that as a festival it ought to be celebrated in the expected religious way. The expected religious way is that man did not come into the world by chance but was created by God to enable him to remember his Creator at all times. The Creator therefore brought His son to bring salvation to mankind irrespective of where they find themselves in the world. Christmas is therefore a season for peace and unity aimed at bringing together people who will unite and build societies in a positive manner for the good of mankind. The season signifies peace at all times and that is why it must be marked by peaceful activities that ensure that peace prevails in all communities, nations and the world as a whole.

One essential ingredient is unity so individuals are expected to show respect towards one another, recognize their differences and misunderstandings as well as work towards improving upon relationships with one another in order to be able to live in harmony. The purpose of the religious significance of Christmas is to bring together people in this way for them to show love towards one another and also live in peace irrespective of ethnicity, creed, race, colour and other beliefs. For a nation like Ghana, the various political parties, individuals and interest groups are expected to work together in a meaningful manner so that national aspirations and development can be achieved within a very short time. The world today is going through various challenges and so political actors and interest groups are expected to show respect towards one another, accommodate each other in terms of differences in views, and be prepared to cope with another for the common good.

National development brings on board the attainment of aspirations reflecting on every individual mind which can be galvanized to push the entire nation forward and achieve the ultimate goal of all in terms of progress, development, prosperity, peace and better life. The common interest of Ghanaians ought to be pursued in a positive way to bring about the kind of transformation needed for all Ghanaians to realise that indeed the country has been able to come together through and beyond the Christmas season in attaining what it has achieved for the country and the good of all. Christmas therefore signifies peace and must be celebrated as such, avoiding needless merrymaking that will put lives in trouble or endanger properties in society. Similarly, goodwill messages must be genuine and extended to all irrespective of religious affiliation or beliefs so that everyone will embrace individuals in society and make them happy for our common national development in line with the purpose of Christmas.

By Kofi Amponsah Bediako, Consultant in Development Communication