Christmas
By Haneefa Badru
Christmas celebration is a commemoration of the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God. Each year on December 25th, billions of people around the globe come together to honor this sacred event through religious and cultural celebrations. The atmosphere during this time is filled with cheer and merriment as believers exchange heartfelt gifts, gather with their loved ones for lively family parties, and deck their homes with sparkling lights and lush trees. The tradition of hanging presents in socks and sharing sweet kisses under the mistletoe only adds to the festive mood, spreading joy and delight to all who participate.
Sadly, the 2022 Christmas was a bleak one for a number of families, as they were visited not by Santa Claus and his bountiful sack of presents but by the Grinch and his cold, deathly embrace. Instead of experiencing the warmth and cheer typically associated with Christmas, these families were left in the shadows, their hopes for a merry celebration shattered.
The United States was ravaged by a lethal winter storm, claiming the lives of at least 50 people. Some individuals were unfortunately discovered after being stranded in their cars, which were entombed under a heavy blanket of snow. This storm, which has been deemed one of the most catastrophic hits on New York City, showed no signs of abating, with the death toll steadily climbing. These Winter Woes were a devastating and heart-wrenching tragedy.
A woman in Wallasey was brutally murdered by a man while celebrating Christmas with her loved ones. This shocking and tragic event cast a dark shadow over the festive season.
The slain lawyer, Bolanle Raheem
Also, in Lagos, Nigeria, a police officer with itchy trigger fingers tragically took the life of a pregnant lawyer on her way home from Christmas mass with her family. The innocent victim was killed instantly by the rogue officer’s bullet. This heinous act, which has been condemned, is unfortunately not an isolated incident, as there have been numerous reports of extrajudicial killings in the country throughout the year. The thoughtless violence cast a dark cloud over the Christmas celebration and left her relatives in mourning.
Furthermore, three persons lost their lives while six others sustained varying degrees of injuries in an accident that occurred on Christmas day on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
Whereas a terrible accident on the Abuja-Kaduna road in Nigeria claimed the lives of five people on Christmas Day. Among the deceased were a man, two women, and a set of identical twins, who were likely a family based on their matching attire. This tragedy has left a deep wound in the memory of the 2022 Christmas.
In England, Durham police confirmed eight sudden, random, and completely unrelated deaths in the city. There were reports of over 300 break-ins too.
A devastating fire broke out in the university town of Ekpoma, engulfing over 10 shops at the main market and causing millions of Naira in losses for the traders. This was a heartbreaking tragedy for those affected, and the event left a negative impact on them.
These events confirm experts’ opinion accidents are twice more likely to occur during Christmas due to heightened emotions and alcohol. Believers are encouraged to keep the Christmas spirit alive, stay safe, and have hope that the Lord chooses to love us even in the darkest hours.
Haneefa Badru writes for Eko Hot Blog. This media platform reserves all rights to this article.
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