How not to celebrate Christmas — Our Security, Our Peace By Prof. O.E Bassey 

The celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ is one of the most anticipated celebrations of every calendar year by majority of Christians worldwide. The season signifies the virtues of love, peace and unity which Christ represented while on earth and expects his followers to trail.

On this day, it is not uncommon to find people going beyond and above to make the day memorable for themselves and sometimes for their family and loved ones, and most times end up getting into one trouble or the other — differential from what the season encourages.

There are ways to celebrate and there are ways not to celebrate that preserve peace, promote security and perpetuate love necessary for an ideal life during and even beyond Christmas.

First thing that must be established is that Christmas is no do or die affair. Some people make the mistake of assuming that it is which fuels their unbridled drive for things that end up making them victims or enemies of the law.

Loans

Driven by the ambition not to be left out of the year’s celebration or to compete with the level of celebration their neighbours, friends, or colleagues would pull, some Christians go the length of taking loans they can’t repay that they end up having a miserable next year trying to run away from their creditor or working at too many jobs they can’t deliver. You should endeavour to only engage in celebrations you can afford. Christmas is no competition, so nobody is going to score you low or score you high for celebrating the way you can afford to celebrate. Christ’s purpose on earth was to ensure everyone was enriched with peace. If your celebration would deny you peace, then it is not Christ you are celebrating.

Excessive and impulsive spending

Another temptation people fail to resist during Christmas day is that of excessive and impulsive spending. It is quite popular to see people get carried away with the whole frenzy of the celebration that at every tiniest opportunity or nudge to spend, they throw caution to the wind, only for them to wake up the next day and their account balance gives them a reality check. In order not to find yourself at the other end of such spending that are prone to days like this, it is necessary you prepare a budget for the day; and if exigencies uncaptured manage to crop up, check if it is one that is unavoidable and only spend on it as much as it does not send you into bankruptcy.

Excessive eating and drinking

As funny as this sounds, it is very common this season and does land lots of people in hospital, prison cells and even mortuaries. If you don’t feast in moderation, you are only doing harm to your body — which could require you to see some doctors, in respect to excessive food intake. For excessive drinks, its risks are varied and high. Apart from impairing your health, it could lead you to some irrational decisions that could cause harm to a fellow human, not to mention that some people get drunk and still drive. It is important this season to avoid celebrating in excess. Things done in this measure are always counter-productive, hence, let moderation be your anchor throughout the season.

Avoid late-night activities

Night activities especially in the open such as street carnivals and parties where adequate security is not mounted would always be high-risk. Avoid activities like this in order not to compromise your safety and the safety of your belongings that could be targets in such cluster of gathering.

It is important that as you celebrate you understand that if your peace and security is compromised, it defeats the purpose of the celebration as Christ, the reason for the season, is more interested in your safety that ensures your prosperity.

And before we call it a wrap for the year, I want to appreciate you for always anticipating Mondays to read from me. It’s been fulfilling doing this 52 times this year and more fulfilling knowing that for every time I write on this column, you are always there waiting to read. It could be a better next year for peace and security, as a nation and as individuals — I look forward to seeing you.

3 John 1:2: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Prof. Ofonime Emmanuel Bassey is a Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution Coach with decades of experience in the practice and promotion of Law Enforcement, Peace and Security through the Nigeria Police and the United Nations.

He is an advocate of Peace Leadership and Child Protection.

He has served and interacted at the top level management of the Nigeria Police as well as internationally as a United Nation’s Monitor/Mentor in Kosovo, Europe.

A professor of Peace Advocacy and Conflict Resolution, Dr. O.E Bassey is a certified United Nation’s Trainer, and currently the Director of ICOF Institute of Leadership, Peace and Conflict Resolution in Africa.

With his marks well-established in Peace Leadership both in Nigeria and Africa. Currently, he is the President, NISSI Safety Management Institute: An Institute of Peace Leadership.

Presently, he is spearheading a campaign tagged “The Next Peace Leaders”, a campaign that is billed to run from 2022-2023 with a target of training 37,000 young peace leaders.

For peace and security tips, consultations and trainings, reach him via:

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