I have been asking people what they love most about Christmas and I have got all forms of answers. Some said they love to see Sancta Claus, some children told me they love the fireworks, the travels to see families, of course as expected, many love the Christmas Turkey and roasts, the carols and nativity plays, plenty of chocolates, the Christmas party, the presents from friends and parents.
A woman told me “I don’t like Christmas”, actually, there is no one who knows the meaning of Christmas who won’t love Christmas, what I think she meant is the stress we give ourselves and the financial crises we plunge ourselves, which in actual fact are not the essence of Christmas.
Can you pause briefly and ask yourself, what do you really love about Christmas; you don’t need to become spiritual on this matter, just be real.
Well, let me tell you five things I love most about Christmas and don’t laugh or judge me.
- The Christmas songs, I mean the carols, I really love Christmas songs and my favourite is “adeste fidelis.”
Traditional
Adeste, fideles,
Laeti triumphantes,
Venite, venite in Bethlehem!
Natum videte,
Regem angelorum
Venite, adoremus!
Venite, adoremus!
Venite, adoramus Dominum!
Venite, adoramus Dominum!
- I love the beautiful decorations for Christmas, sometimes I drive round town to see some beautiful decorations.
- I love the exchange of gifts, I have received so many boxes of chocolates, and short breads, cards and some people are putting coloured papers that have the head of the queen in the cards.
I have resolved to open a chocolate shop on the high street after Christmas. I got a shop beside wetherspoons in Bletchley high street.
In any case, I love the smell of Christmas gifts; I wish Christmas wouldn’t end too soon.
- I love the fact that Christmas brings families together. In this country, everyone is busy working tooth and nail but at Christmas, we are able to have a break and meet with members of our families that we haven’t seen for a while.
- I love the fact that at Christmas, people who haven’t been to Church come around to smell the church again. I think this is what I love most. I was asking my barber if he is a Christian, he said yes and with an aura of pride he added “I go to church on Christmas and Easter.”
This morning I was listening to a song by Wizard titled “I wish it could be Christmas every day” and this is where I got the title of my homily today. I wish it could be Christmas every day. I wish the Christmas spirit could linger longer.
I know many of you will protest this idea. We shall object because Christmas for us comes with lots of expenses and stress.
Actually, Christmas is not meant to be expensive and it is something we can celebrate everyday. We can keep the Christmas spirit alive even after the Christmas festival.
How?
- We can sing beautiful songs of praise to God daily; our carols don’t have to be only at Christmas. The Psalmist says “I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise always on my lips (Psalm 34:1).
When we do this we prolong the Spirit of Christmas.
- We can give gifts to people not just for Christmas but every day.
The greatest gifts are not even material or tangible. Gifts are not just chocolates and stuffs from Marks and Spencer, we can give more patience to someone who provokes us, forgiveness to someone who doesn’t deserve it, kind words to someone discouraged, we can appreciate someone struggling but unnoticed, we can smile to someone downcast, spend time to listen to someone’s unrelated stories.
We can even make ourselves a gift to others, a gift to our family, a gift to our friends and people we work with. There are people in this parish I see them as God’s gift to encourage me.
When we do this we prolong the spirit of Christmas.
- We may choose not to wait till Christmas to show love and care to our families.
The most beautiful Christmas tree is a family gathered together with joy and love.
What if we show how much we cherish our families in concrete ways even outside of Christmas?
When we do this we prolong the spirit of Christmas.
- We may decide to decorate our homes not just for Christmas but every time. Peace makes a home brighter than Christmas light, love is more adorable than Christmas tree; a home where there is good communication is a home with the best carol. Love, peace, unity and good communications are better decorations; if you doubt it, try it.
When we do this we prolong the spirit of Christmas.
- We may also set time aside for God not only on Christmas day but also on other days. God wishes to see you more than once or twice a year, in the spirit of Christmas, you may set time aside more for God.
Whenever we come to Church, we celebrate something of Christmas because Christmas is the reason we are Christians.
Merry Christmas to you all.
Sermon preached by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okami on December 25, 2019