BY REV FR GERALD NWAFOR
We are not yet there, but we are almost there since we have set foot into the Advent season. Nothing happens by chance or magic, although I believe in miracles; that is the area of divinity. If we must have a fruitful Christmas, we must prepare for the Advent well. The road to happiness must be taken care of. In a few weeks more our mouths and stomachs will be enjoying different kinds of delicacies. In some areas, our eyes will be witnessing all kinds of Masquerade and fanfare. Thanks to God that our governor did not ban the masquerade like the governor of Akwa Ibom state, Umo Bassey Eno. I do not know his reasons, but an outright ban on masquerades during Christmas celebrations is not very good in our tradition, given the circumstances of our people. The children go out to watch the masquerade. The masquerade will dance, sing, and perform some physical display of strength. Some kids have bought their new masquerade; some age grades have prepared the beautiful agbogho mmou; while many would bring out their old edition, liked by the elders and the women.
Let the celebration flow, for Jesus was born in Galilee, a place where water was turned into wine for the celebration of the wedding guests. Although I do not encourage bans, I do not subscribe to the masquerades that use force or intimidation to extort money from people. My only suggestion would be that no unsuspecting citizens will be brutalized in the name of excitement (No flogging or caning, or smacking). The masquerades can smack themselves since they are spirits from the land of the dead, but they are not allowed to smack the human beings from the land of the living who come to watch and enjoy their escapades. Christmas should be a season of happiness, not of woes and wailing. Happiness cannot be complete if we fail to prepare for it very well. The church has given us four weeks to prepare for the celebration.
It is still good now to go into the Eke Ekwuluobia, Nkwo Nnewi, Eke Awka, and Otu Nkwo Onitsha (Main Market), make purchases, and get out un-scratched. Do not wait till December 20th if you have the money. I put the caveat “If you have the money,” since some of our big brothers do not drop the Christmas money till December 20 and counting. I do not frown at them since half bread is better than none. I would say the earlier the better. The last time I went into the main market in Onitsha on the 22nd of December, I did not come out with my wallet, and I did not even get the ‘Gear wood Jean’ I went into the market to buy. It was crazy as hell.
The preparation should be all-round, spiritual, emotional, and physical. You can go to morning Mass during the Advent period. You can give the poor some part of your breakfast or lunch to connect with the poor people staying at the sheep pen where the Savior was born. You can visit the prisoners and bring them good jollof rice and goat meat to identify with those in darkness who saw the light the moment the savior was born. Remember to go to confession and remove all those sins of 2025 that stop you from being a darling to the baby Jesus. I know that I cannot tell you everything, but do not ignore yourself, since you are very important in this equation. Many people depend on you, but do not overdo it. The person blowing the flute cleans his nose from time to time (Ogbu opi na emecha imi).
Everyone should find happiness during this time of the year, and forgive your brothers who do not think that they should contribute to the general pot, but always want to eat from it. Some will receive so many gifts this season that they will have more than they need. Please share with your neighbors. I do not want to talk about the priest, but I would simply say that after the Holy Family Mass, please remember that there are poor people everywhere. Do not hold the gifts for yourself only; share with the poor. God will always provide for you in due season.
The catechism class in those days reminds me of the bodily preparation and the spiritual preparation (Nkwado nke aru na nke mkpulu obi). None of them should be neglected; that is why I suggested earlier that we take good care of ourselves. If you are rich enough, please give your house a facelift by painting or reroofing. Your cars should be serviced so that you do not stop along the busy roads of Christmas and add to the traffic wahala already antagonizing the public. Visit some good tailors in the town to make for you a good isi-agu. Senator, Agbada, danshiki, or you can opt for the Lagos line in Onitsha main market for good shirts and trousers. The most important thing is not to neglect yourself or your neighbors.
Finally, remember to feed the poor. I know that the economic situation in our land today is very bad, but we must try our best to celebrate Jesus the king, no matter the circumstances we find ourselves (kama Agbaro ncha, kama si gbaa na eku). I read somewhere that the soldiers on the warfront would always stop fighting during Christmas to celebrate and resume fighting after. So, I ask the question, “If war cannot stop this celebration, what can?” Nothing! So, during this preparation time, do not allow the day (25th December) to sneak up on you unprepared. Today is still early (Taa bug boo). Get your acts together, send money to your family in the village, call your grandmother and grandfather, and ask what they would like for Christmas. Some gifts can never go wrong for the family during Christmas; the first is a bag of rice, the second is meat, and the other is money. If you do not want to ask them what they want, you can simply wing it by sending any of these three to the village. The villagers are looking at your hand, and do not disappoint them. If you can read to this point, you are rich and should act immediately. We are already there, happy Xmas in advance.
