Crime-Mass

When I first wrote this article some eight (8) years ago, the great recession of the twenty-first century was setting in, the name Christmas was facing a lot of beating from the American Government who later changed it to holidays; little did I know that the condition of those of us that even follow the way will get so bad, that we would have increased in number yet having little influence in places the master asked that we occupy till he comes back.

Well, all hopes its not lost, it’s the yuletide again, as Christians it was period of hope to mankind, the celebration of life and even the existence of humankind its hung on him that was born for Christmas, I said born for because 25th was not really his birth day, but He had given us the right that whatever two-three of us agree in His name, heaven approves of it, so men/women that walked this road before us had fixed it so be it. The birth of Jesus Christ was announced as Joy to the world; no wonder the popular Christian hymn of “Joy to the world the Lord has come…”

‘And the angel said to them “ Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people, for to you is born this day in the city of David a saviour, who is Christ the Lord” Luke 2v10-12   

Since the insertion of Christmas the period serve as a time of rest, love expression and charity, over the year things went wrong. The preparation for a period of joy as changed to a time of sorrow, and even after it many fail to allow the light he brought into the world to live in us, you look around you, check the cables and you understand; this lead to the title of my article “Crime-mass”

The quest to always live a celebrative life, some to even mark this period has increased crime. If you care, check out the crime rate, especially here at home in Nigeria, the rates are high up there during the yuletide. While the real Christians are preparing to mark their emancipation from the hold of the devil and sin, others still with religious mask over them moves bout killing to get money, young people are committing immoral acts which most at times leads to pregnancy and subsequent abortions comes January, some families are separated just for a senseless reason no money to get clothes, travel back to the village.

Then your question would be, what is this person saying? Should Christmas be cancelled? God forbid that I suggest such a thing. My submission as you enjoy the Christmas season this year and years ahead is that we take a sober reflection on our life’s, the state of the country and the world at large, asking ourselves is the original plan for his birth still in your view and what of his eminent return, are you ready?. As you spread love this season, know that love it’s a life style not a seasonal thing: “love the say is…patient…kind…not jealous,or boasful, not arrogant or rude…does not insist on its own ways;…not irritable or resentful;…rejoice not at wrong; but rejoice in the right…it bears all things, hope all things, endures all things. Love never ends…” 1 Cor. 13v4-8

The Lord himself cares less about your materials used for celebration; all the evil means people use in getting material things he did condemned already, he calls us to a life of righteousness “do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterous, nor sexually perverts, nor thieves, nor greedy, nor drunkards, nor robbers, will inherit the Kingdom of God”   I cor. 8v9-10  

The religion we are called into, if you have already accepted Christ as head over your life, that is what it means to be born-again, calls us to be contented with what will have. 1 Tim 6v6              

 Bill Musk in his book Unseen face of Islam said “Christ the risen king giver of the spirit is the Lord who is present in his people. Festival devotion that celebrates such presence holds forth a message of hope in its own very rejoicing”.

No wonder most Christian in the middle-east invest more significance to the Holy week (Easter celebration) than the Christmas rite. In some of these places, this is the period that commands holiday for them.

For me why I celebrate is because Jesus was raised and I have accepted him as Lord over my life; my question to you as you read this, have you also done the same? His Jesus now Lord over your life. Know that neither a special birth nor death would have made any meaning If he had not resurrected. We must not then allow the celebration of His birth heat up crime in our society most especially here in Africa. We must stop copying western way of celebration; spend according to your means. And please don’t allow this period goes by with you making a decision for Jesus. Heaven and Hell it’s real!

Merry Christmas and an impactful 2014 I wish you all!