Christmas, Santa Claus And Its Essence

Joy to the world, thy Lord has come; let earth receive her King”, so states the lyrics of a popular carol, that heralds the Yuletide in all lands and climes.

Christmas — a period when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ — is once again around the corner and many are awaiting it with great expectations.

“Its approach usually fills you with a lot of anxieties,’’ says Rev. Bernard Ikwe, an Abuja-based clergyman.

He adds: “Christmas is celebrated in many homes all over the world and it is fast becoming one of the world’s most celebrated events.’’

Observers say that the people’s excitement about the coming of Christmas is quite remarkable, even amongst children, who anxiously look forward to it because of new clothes, fun times and spiritual devotions.

Nevertheless, the Christmas celebration is not free from controversies, as opinions remain divided over the authentic birth date of Jesus Christ.

Even within Christendom, some denominations, such as “God’s Kingdom Society’’ (GKS) and “The Jehovah’s Witnesses’’, kick against the December 25 anniversary date, saying that it is not authentic, while some denounce the date as having its root in a pagan festival of Ancient Rome.

The World Christian Council believed that the controversies surrounding the date would be permanently settled when it, several years ago, endorsed December 25 as the universal date for Christ’s birthday anniversary celebration.

“That declaration by the WCC should by now rest the controversy,’’ intones Ikwe.

Another clergyman and theologian, Rev. Ike Laramoh, says that the controversy, which belongs to the past, is better forgotten.

“Yes, Jesus was born at a certain period in history. He actually came to fulfill a mission, which He fully accomplished. Jesus was not a controversial person and no controversy should be associated with Him.’’

“The Bible may not have explicitly given the exact date of the birth of Jesus, but it is very clear on when and how.

“Thank God that Jesus was born and that we are celebrating His birth. The controversy is, at best, a distraction; but the real reason behind His coming cannot be lost,” he says.

Notwithstanding the contentions over the birth date, religious analysts say that the high spirits of the Christian faithful at Christmas have not diminished over time.

What really is Christmas and what is its significance? many have been asking

Christmas, according to the Encyclopedia of Religion, means Christ Mass, and this implies “the mass celebrating the feast of Christ’s nativity or birth”.

Says Laramoh: “Jesus Christ brought joy to the world and if we, His followers, can imbibe half of what He stood for, there will not be crime, crisis, corruption, kidnapping and other vices in our country.

“The uniqueness of Christmas, whose physical and spiritual impacts are far-reaching, is underscored by the fact that it is celebrated close to the end of the year.

“Even as faraway as China and other Asian countries, Christmas remains the biggest single event.’’ Laramoh adds.

Church historians trace the origin of Christmas to about 350 A.D., during the reign of Pope Julius 1, who, as the head of the Roman Catholic Church, decided to “Christianise” the date, usually reserved for a pagan festival in Ancient Rome.

It is, therefore, obvious that Christmas never had a biblical precedent but only evolved from a festival held at the year’s end in Rome.

However, the Christianisation of that date has now been widely accepted in Christendom, hence the global excitement associated with Christmas today.

“The nativity or birth of Christ, has gradually absorbed or supplanted all other rites,’’ explains the Encyclopedia of Religion.

Observers say that the Santa Claus (Father Christmas) phenomenon is another dimension to the Yuletide, which also generates some measure of controversy.

They point out that in most western countries, for instance, so many secular and commercial activities are now being associated with Christmas celebration.

As shopping malls resonate with carols, huge volume of trade goes on at local and international levels, as goods and services are exchanged.

Religious analysts say that the origin of Santa Claus (Father Christmas) remains a mystery, as there had not been a direct relationship between it and Christ’s birth.

Nevertheless, Santa Claus has, over the years, become synonymous with Christmas.

However, a popular account links the mythical Santa Claus to St. Nicholas, the Archbishop of Myra, an ancient part of present-day Turkey.

“Virtually everything written about St. Nicolas is based on legends. The appellation, Santa Claus, may owe its origin to the word ‘Sinterklaas’, a corruption of the Dutch term for Saint Nicholas,” says the Christian Encyclopedia.

Many bible scholars say that Santa Claus has nothing in common with Jesus Christ, as Christmas had been celebrated in the beginnings without Santa Claus.

Asked about the relationship between Christmas and Santa Claus, Rev. Ike Chukwudi, an Abuja-based cleric, retorts that “the answer is blowing in the wind.

“The Santa Claus and Christ don’t seem to have any spiritual connection, though the former has assumed an important dimension to Christmas celebration the world over.

“As parents, we have not bothered to find out the origin of Santa Claus and its relationship with Christmas,’’ Chukwudi admits.

Santa Claus is universally regarded as a generous figure, who showers people, particularly children, with gifts. It is not unusual to see all kinds of Santa Claus parading streets in neighbourhoods, giving out gifts to children during the Yuletide.

Elvis Okinna, an undergraduate, says that he grew up to believe that Santa Claus brought Christmas gifts to children from “the source.’’

“I never bothered to ask the origin of Santa Claus and his relationship with Christmas, even up to now, as an adult.

“Our family used to celebrate Christmas with fanfare. After my parents would have confirmed that we had slept, our mother would sneak into our room and place a carefully wrapped gift by my bedside.

“On the following morning, she would come smiling to say: ‘Son, because you have been a good boy, Santa Claus gave you a present’. I usually felt on top of the world, having been counted worthy by Father Christmas,’’ Okinna says.

“In most cities of the world, Santa Claus’s cherry red face is often plastered on shop windows, while nations as China exports Christmas paraphernalia as synthetic trees, tinsel, twinkling lights and other Yuletide trinkets.

“In Indonesia, for instance, hotels and malls sponsor festive events where children could dine with Santa Claus or have photographs taken with him,” writes the Wall Street Journal.

As Christians in Nigeria prepare for the approaching Christmas celebration, many have begun to reflect on the country’s state of affairs and pray for divine intervention.

Mrs Grace Adeola, a teacher, wants the country’s political and socio-economic issues to be addressed by government in a manner that will create relief for the citizens.

“As beautiful as this period is, there are some persons who may not be in the mood to celebrate Christmas.

“Such people include victims of kidnapping and rape, who may not be happy to celebrate Christmas. There are also people from crisis-ridden communities, who may not be willing to travel home for Christmas for fear of their lives.

“The popular saying in some eastern states now is ‘if you can’t pay ransom, please don’t go home’. That indicates the level of the failure in our security,’’ she says.

Mr Osita Okue, an Abuja resident, says: “My family will not go to the village but will celebrate the Christmas here in Abuja, to avoid any problems.

“Next week, traffic will be heavy; crime, including kidnapping, will go up and these things can be avoided if you stay where you are.

“We hope to reach out to our loved ones, including those in the village. I do hope they will understand that the days are evil,’’ Okue says.

For Mr John Ude, a businessman, “the economy has not performed very well and that has affected the pockets of many, hence I will celebrate Christmas in a low-key fashion”.

These problems notwithstanding, Adeola says that Christians should learn to give thanks to God in all situations, especially for sparing their lives.

“We need to pray always for our country and leaders. We need to be more spiritual because the days are evil. The actions of a few have brought untold hardships to the majority of us, who are now languishing in poverty.

“Let’s pray for our leaders for God to touch their heart; to stop stealing and embezzling our collective wealth,’’ she says.

Observers also say that Christmas is a season of gifts, as symbolised by Boxing Day.

“Give out quality gifts; share what you have with others. One of the most exciting decisions you can take or make this season is to be on the lookout for opportunities to invest in others,’’ Adeola says.

“By so doing, you would have reduced poverty in the midst of the majority,’’ she adds.

Many citizens share Adeola’s sentiments and many Christians agree that intense prayers and charity are imperative during this period, beyond the wining, dining and other festivities, now commonly associated with the Yuletide.

Enehikhuere writes for News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Julius Enehikhuere