Christmas is only a few days away. Preparations are in top gear to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s a notable and holy festivity marked annually all over the world by both Christians and non Christians on December 25. For children, it is lots of fun. They have the Christmas holiday to themselves that accords them the opportunity to celebrate Christmas in lots of ways besides travelling and visiting their grannies. What more after the Holy Mass on Christmas Day? How will you celebrate your Christmas? BETTY AMUKPO asks some children. They respond thus. Excerpts.
‘Confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord’
Christmas is celebrated to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the son of God. The name ‘Christmas ‘ come from the mass of Christ. A mass of Christ. A mass service (which is sometimes called communion or Eucharist) is where Christians remember that Jesus died and then came back to life. No one knows the real birthday of Jesus! No date is given in the Bible, so why do we celebrate it on the 25th December? The first recorded date of Christmas being celebrated on December 25 was in 336, during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine (he was the first Christian Roman Emperor). But it was not an official Roman State festival at the time. A very early Christian tradition said that the day when Mary was told that she would have a very special baby Jesus (called Annunciation) was on March 25 and it is still celebrated today on March 25. Nine months after March 25 is December 25. Christmas is also sometimes known as Xmas. Some people don’t think it’s correct to call Christmas Xmas as that takes the Christ (Jesus) out of Christmas. (Christmas means Mass of Christ.) The only reason I will celebrate Christmas is that I will confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. Bible references are: Isiah7:14, Matthew. 1:21, Matthew 1:22-23, Luke 1:46- 47, Luke 2:4-7, Luke 2:8-12, Lk 2:13-14, Lk 2:15-20, John 1:4,John 3:16, James 1:7, Isaiah 53:2-6, Galatians 4:4-5, Romans 6:23, Romans3:28-31,1Corinthian 6:22-23, and Zechariah 9:9.
• Ojimmadu Sandra
‘Travel to my village to visit my grandparents’
I have already prepared for the Christmas of 2022. I started with the retreat held in my parish St. Mary Catholic Church, Isolo. And also the Advent Retreat of Our Mother of Perpetual help. I have attended confession hoping to make my heart pure to welcome Jesus Christ. I will travel to my village to visit my grandparents and my cousins. I will also go for all the functions of Christmas.
• Chiamaka Esther Obasi
‘Watch film on Jesus’ birth’
Christmas is a season of joy, peace and happiness. Christmas is one of the famous festivals that is celebrated across the world. Jesus is the true light that gives light to everyone. The world was made through Him. John 1:9-10. I will celebrate Christmas by: • Attending Mass • Decorating our home with Christmas trees • Sharing my meals with family and friends • Visiting the orphanage • Visiting a cinema to watch film of Jesus’ birth. Thanks be to God for His gift of His son. 2 Corinthians 9:15.
• Anita Chima
‘Visit an orphanage as customary in my home’
Christmas is an annual event when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It holds on December 25. The book of Luke 2, details the birth of Jesus Christ. To celebrate this year’s Christmas, I will go for Mass on Christmas eve, because I am waiting expectantly for the birth of our Lord. After Mass, we will have a family feast, exchange of gifts and a visit to an orphanage as customary in my home. I will also attend Christmas carols, we just had one for my Deanery at Epe and it was pomp. I look forward to more. I intend to have joy to the fullest as it is written in the Book of Luke 1: 14 “And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at His birth”. I will also celebrate Christmas by going to fun places like the beach and amusement parks.
• Ebubechukwu Chinedu
‘Give thanks to God for making me to witness the day’
I will celebrate the Christmas by first giving thanks to God for making me to witness the day and also arrange the house for family and friends that will come visiting. Also, I hope my parents will honour my opinion for us to visit an orphanage in order to celebrate with them all in the spirit of giving thanks to God which is written for us in the book of Isaiah 12:4: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that His name is exalted”.
• Eyinade Gideon
‘I enjoy visiting Santa Claus’
Christmas is an annual sacred Christian holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the spiritual leader and founder of Christianity. While many people celebrate Christmas to honour Jesus’ birth, it’s also celebrated as a cultural holiday across the globe. Popular customs which I really enjoy about Christmas include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending Church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. We celebrate Christmas because, as the angel said, the birth of Jesus Christ is “good news.” Good news is meant to be celebrated.
• Bryan Okononfua
‘Exchanging gifts’
I will celebrate Christmas by exchanging gifts, singing Christmas Carols and songs (Luke1:35), attending mass, decorating Christmas trees, and sharing meals with families and friends (Luke 2:8-12). The reasons I will celebrate Christmas this way, is because I will be connected with my friends, and I will have happy times with my family, (Isaiah 7:14).
• Steven Victory
‘Decorating Christmas trees’
I would like to celebrate Christmas by exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, going to Church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. Visiting places of interest because it will be fun.
• Awaki Barnabas
