Christmas celebration is one of the most valued feasts celebrated by the Christians across the world. It is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas feast is being celebrated on 25th day of December every year in remembrance of Jesus Christ’s birth. To the Christians, it is believed that without the birth of Jesus Christ, human beings would not have been saved from destruction.
A biblical story has it that, after the creation of the world which climaxed the creation of both living and non living things therein, including human beings; Adam and Eve, the first human creature who lived in the Garden of Eden ate a forbidden fruit, which marked the origin of sin in the world. It was in order to save the world that the Lord sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ to come and die so as to save man from imminent destruction. This is why the birth of Jesus Christ is mostly valued by the Christians.
During Christmas celebration, it appears compulsory for individuals and families to go for shopping to get new things in preparation for the feast. People shop for new clothes, foot wears and other materials, including consumable items for themselves, children, relations and loved ones.
People travel home to see their family members and young ones during Christmas. It is also a period when people do all kinds of celebrations; just as it is a period for thanksgiving. Since the feast is celebrated at the last month of the year, people seize the opportunity to give thanks to God for preserving them to the last month of the year.
Prices of goods skyrocket within this period, as virtually every good doubles. Nevertheless, it is a period people go extra mile to ensure that they have all they would use to make the celebration joyful and enjoyable. People use the opportunity to have family meetings whereby issues affecting them are discussed and proffer solutions just as disputes are settled within the period because people that matter in the family usually return home.
As the period for Christmas celebration is around the corner, Friday magazine correspondent who went round Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi state and sampled opinions of residents on the preparation for the feast reports that there is low key preparation for the all important feast this year. However, the people have since begun preparation for the most valued feast; as business activities in the state have increased to a noticeable extent. Business men and women have boosted their stocks with goods and services so as to have enough for consumers whose level of patronage is usually high at this period. Prices of goods have started skyrocketing.
It was also observed that buyers and sellers are on the little increase on daily basis; just as there is a beehive of activities in the Abakaliki Main market popularly called Abakpa. It is common at this period, however, to see adhoc business men and women who display products such as clothes, shoes, food items and other products on the road side along markets and their environs and Ebonyi is not an exception. But unlike in the past, the preparation for the feast appears not have started as expected.
Some of the people who spoke to our correspondent attributed the low-key preparation to party activities which seem to have diverted the interest of the entire people of the state but expressed hope to see improvement as time goes on. Also, marketers on their part told our correspondent that not much has changed in terms of consumers’ patronage; though expressed hope that there might be business boom when the feast draws nearer.
One of them, Mr. Agbo Ogbu said that preparing for Christmas celebration is not unfamiliar with the celebrants since the feast has been an annual event. According to him, the society should not over stretch itself but endeavour to spend within the limit of their resources, adding that much emphasis should be placed on the sober reflection on the birth of Christ rather than the inordinate quest to satisfy their desires momentarily.
“Celebrating the Christmas is not a new experience to me except for the kids whom I know will one day grow up to come to terms with the realities of life.
“The society should know that there is no amount of money spent to commemorate the birth of Christ that will be commensurate with the purpose of the birth of Christ. The celebration should be hinged on the reason why Christ was born.”
A dealer in all kinds of wears at Abakaliki main market, Mr. Ogbonnaya Oche told Friday magazine that though people have begun shopping for the feast, no much boom has been witnessed despite the fast approaching festival. He however noted that he was optimistic that there will be change, starting from 15th December.
“Nothing has changed in terms of patronage as usual but we hope to see changes beginning from 15th of this month. That is the time people troop out en masse for Xmas shopping. However, I have beefed up my stock with more goods ahead of the celebration,” Mr. Oche said.
Mrs. Onyinyechi Nweke, a food stuff seller told Friday magazine that nothing has changed in the level of patronage. She attributed the low preparation by the people to hardship as well as the political activities in the state, which she said has diverted the attention of the people.
An elderly citizen, Mr. Ngwuta Eze noted that Christmas feast has been an annual ritual and a period to give thanks to God. He explained that it should not be seen as a period of splurge. He wondered why people try to get all their needs at all cost within this period. The elder statesman advised the people to see the up coming Xmas as a period of sober reflection. He stated that he has no special preparation in terms of material things but has prepared his mind ahead of the feast.
For the meantime, our correspondent who toured round Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital to sought people’s opinion observed that the preparation for the feast is at the low ebb.
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