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Silent Nights: Christmas In Worrying And Uncertain Times
The night leading to Christmas and beyond may be more silent if the COVID-19 pandemic refuses to budge. All over the world, the most anticipated holiday period of the calendar year might eventually pass with many oblivious that it was ever here.
While this year’s affected celebrations is not peculiar to any country, region or continent as countries are battling an unseen but common enemy, irrespective of one’s faith (the writer is not a Christian), Christmas has metamorphosed into a worldwide secular celebration which unites all. This writer had always looked forward to Christmas more than any other festive holiday as a child and even now more enthusiastically as an adult.
It is unusual that churches have shut their doors to churchgoers who would not miss the annual Christmas carols or Christmas Eve special church programmes for anything in the world. It is unusual that Midnight Mass at the Vatican in Rome will also be streamlined this year to fit with Italy’s safety guidelines. Residents of the United Kingdom have also been directed to rein themselves in with a tier 4 lockdown imposed while Germans are under a national lockdown during the entire Yuletide period which is most definitely unusual.
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In Nigeria, the case is not any different. As new restrictions have continued to surface from federal and state authorities, there is no gainsaying that this year’s Yuletide will be one to remember for a long time. Workaholics look forward to this season to unwind, just as some Nigerians in the diaspora choose this auspicious time to visit relatives in the country save for the travel restrictions in some parts of the world. Residents in the country will have to seek solace in the highly reputed Nigerian Jollof rice, which is one of the many Christmas traditions that have been inculcated in this part of the world as well as family get-togethers (of course in small groups as stipulated by COVID-19 safety guidelines).
There is no doubt this year’s festivities will be characterized by empty church pews, sit-ins with family members, relaxation centres, clubs, bars as well as restaurants under lock and key, little or no fireworks (the Police in some states have banned the use of fireworks or firecrackers during the festive period) and host of other restrictions that might still emerge because 2020 has truly been an uncertain year globally.
Irrespective of the eeriness of the nights’ silence or how this year’s festivities may pan out or, it is important to take to heart the significance of Christmas and the message the season brings with it. Christmas rejuvenates the spirit of generosity – the act of giving (anonymously) without expecting reciprocation, of giving a little more and taking a little less – and of spreading kindness.
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