My official 2015 Christmas article was “Akwaaba to the 2015 Christmas Season.” So today’s article represents my official 2016 Christmas article.
I have shunned celebrating Christmas as a season of revels but rather new beginnings. My sacrosanct practice will continue during this year’s Christmas season. I am, however, conscious of the forthcoming festivities in my city, Sekondi-Takoradi, especially. Well, I even believe the rarest place to be every Christmas season, at least here in Ghana, is the Oil City. In fact, December 2015 was really the turning point in my life – it began to unfold new beginnings in my life throughout the year 2016. Besides, I did not engage in revels which pass away at lightning speed; I actually experienced a paradigm shift in my life. In December 2015, I officially decided to drop out of university, to start a writing firm, and to author a motivational book, all from the very depths of my soul. No wonder I have achieved great things in 2016, and I expect to achieve greater things in 2017 as I commit to new beginnings this Christmas season.
Moreover, the authenticity of Christmas is a subject of doctrinal controversy in Christendom. Some conservative believers in the Christian faith posit that Christmas is not biblical. Yes, we all agree to that assertion! They also argue that it is ungodly or even demonic and should therefore be abolished in Christianity. No, to that assertion I personally disagree! Christmas has no accurate biblical basis, yet its celebration is largely discretionary. If the celebration of Christmas is consistent with Christ’s commandments, then it is acceptable and right. If the celebration of Christmas is inconsistent with Christ’s commandments, then it is unacceptable and wrong. Christmas is a time to celebrate, adore and honour the holy birth of Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, who is the only Saviour of the world. Matthew 1:23 says, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Unfortunately, Christmas which was originally initiated as a sacred celebration has become an immoral celebration. It is now synonymous with revels instead of new beginnings in today’s corrupt world. So what does “revels” mean? To revel means to spend time dancing, eating, drinking, copulating, and the like, in excessive and unacceptable proportions, especially at wild parties. A chunk of people, particularly so-called followers of Christ, are found guilty of revels during Christmas seasons. Satirically speaking, there will obviously be a surge in sexual activity this Christmas season just like previous Christmas seasons. Sexual immorality then becomes legitimate to many people during Christmas seasons. But those people would go to church on 31st night to ask God in the name of his Son, Jesus whose holy birth they sought to defile – for forgiveness of their sins, especially their revels.
In all sincerity, I wish people would commit to new beginnings this Christmas season. It does not matter if you messed up in the year 2016. There is a new hope for you, simply because Christmas is also season of new hope. Let us repent of our wrongdoings throughout the year 2016, and most importantly, strive to rectify them. I do not really believe in the theory of New Year’s resolution in its entirety, but I honestly think that it is good for individuals to prepare New Year’s resolutions. The formulation actually starts now even before New Year or January 1 reaches. Look! I accomplished a few remarkable feats as a young boy in 2016, mainly because I committed to new beginnings in December 2015. Every youth can do same and even surpass that; it all boils down to the question of priorities. We ought to set our priorities right this Christmas season as we enter the year 2017, and we will surely see new beginnings manifest greatly in our lives.
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