The Focus for this christmas

BY ADESUWA

Christmas! The only event that really gets people on their feet. No other celebration shakes the earth like Christmas does. Christmas is when Christians celebrate the birth of their saviour Jesus Christ.

Christmas means a lot of things to different people. However, considering the happening of the year, I became curious... I wanted to know the focus for people this Christmas. In the midst of all the celebrations, I felt we should have a focal point in our hearts, something we would like to do or to be seen to be done this season. So I carried out an opinion poll asking "what should be the focus this Christmas?" and here's what Nigerians had to say :
"Love..I know the word 'love' has been over-emphasised, but through out 2012, love was really absent. Look at the Aluu killings, boko haram, kidnapping, even the Nigerian government have no love for their people any more. 2012 was good, but it would have been better. I think this Christmas we should focus on love, values and respect. When we respect,love, and fear GOD, I think we are good to go."- John Momoh

"Party! Fun fun all the way"- Ella Nwabundo

"Thanksgiving, love and family"- Emmanuel Olorunda

"Sharing love with the needy through material things"- Sarah Nok

"The focus should be love of GOD and neighbour"- Tony Chigbata

"Preaching Unity for all"- Arome Joseph

"We should reflect on the life of Christ from his birth to his death, celebrate him and imbibe his teachings the more. Be doers of his word and not just hearers" - Uduak Robert

"Giving and sharing"- Ekpen Otoibhili

"Christ in me"- Akubo

"Christ always" - Aima Atafo

"Rededication of our lives to Christ!!" - Gabriel Kwaki

"Freeing yourself 4rm past
mistakes and sins to truly start afresh" - Habiba Hamza

"Family"- Sophie Alozie Raymond

Looking through these responses, one message rings out clearly, and that is 'Love'. Christ is Love, as celebrate his birth over 2000 years ago, we are indeed celebrating love. Whether you want to party, or spend time with family, or give to the needy, or break free from the past, or reflect on Christ's life and so on, it is Love that makes us do these sincerely..Love of GOD, Love for others and love of self.

Love involves sharing. You don't have to be rich to share. Your old clothes and shoes can be someone else's finest, a bag of rice shared to about  10 families in need could save a lot, a kind word would inspire another to soar, a simple prayer for others  would make a difference and bring the miracles we have been seeking, speaking and standing for the truth would liberate and bring justice to millions of people.  There are so so many ways to show love. Yes in the past, we have loved but weren't paid back in same coin, but that hasn't changed loving as the way to go.

Let's spread this message to one another as we celebrate, in our words and actions. Plus it shouldn't stop this season, let it continue into the new year and beyond. May the blessings of peace and good tidings that Christ's brings dwell with us forever! Let us transform the world... Reach out to one another in love,  LOVE truly!