How Christmas has changed over the years
Christmas holiday season is finally here. The holiday season is a joyful and exciting time for families.
Holidays tend to ignite the spirit of giving in all of us. Christmas time offers a wonderful opportunity to help others and reach out to the less fortunate in society, and is more well known as the time where people share gifts.
At this time, individuals, churches and organisations plan philanthropic activities to put smiles on faces of the less fortunate-it could be sharing meals, donating foodstuff, clothes and other gifts.
This can be done by visiting children’s homes, feeding street families, visiting the sick in hospitals and convicts and other charitable organisations.
One of the main reasons why Christmas is a time for giving is to remind us of the Christmas story.
It was Jesus who received the gifts of Frankincense, Gold and Myrrh. Each of these gifts has its own meaning and then there is the main gift himself. Christians consider Jesus as God’s greatest gift to us.
This concept has evolved into the Christmas gift bringer, Santa Claus, who goes by various names around the world.
According to Pastor Terry Gobanga, the true meaning of Christmas is love.
John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Christmas is the celebration of our Saviour Jesus Christ, giving up himself for others, an incredible act of love to unite us back to Him,” says Terry.
“The heart of Christmas reminds us that gift exchange is good but does not have to get us into debt nor does it have to be expensive.
Gifts are used symbolically as we remind ourselves that our Saviour Jesus was given to us a gift.
As we open our gifts, we are reminded how we should receive Jesus with celebration.
The lights and decorations everywhere are significant as they take us back to scripture, John 8:12, which says the Lord is the light of the world.
The heart of Christmas reminds us that while we sing the carols, it is not only the glitz and angelic voices that we should be after, but about the joy that we should have when receiving the gift of Jesus,” she explains.
Angelic voices
Years have gone by, many Christmas days have come, been celebrated and gone.
All through, it has been a wonderful moment of family catch ups, partying and commemoration of milestones achieved.
“The role of the church in keeping the Christmas spirit alive can never be overlooked.
It has all along made the birth of Jesus Christ a memorable celebration to ponder and keep.
But time has gone, life has happened and a lot has changed. The way I currently look at Christmas is from a totally different perspective.
I realised family is actually everywhere, and together as a people, we can be there for each other no matter where we come from or belong,” says Khamadi Murila, founder of Embrace New Beginnings.
Embrace New Beginnings is a charitable organisation that was established in 2019 to address issues of mental health and poverty alienation .
“How complete social media strangers could be united through a common cause as reaching out to other needy people in the society not known to them was a real game changer.
Giving a whole new meaning to what I believe to be the actual significance of the season,” he adds.
During this Christmas season, Khamadi says they hope to put a smile on faces of individuals who have lost hope in humanity, create ‘family’ in the hearts and minds of a people so divided yet so united, lifting souls to the realisation the true gospel of Jesus Christ and save humanity.
“This December, we as Embrace New Beginnings have made a deliberate effort to dedicate our resources to reach out to the elderly, the delicate thread that holds us all together yet so neglected.
We purpose to use this season to rally our volunteers and other well-wishers to join us as we attempt to recreate the thought of family assembly in their minds,” he says.
Deliberate effort
He adds: “We are looking out for adult diapers, detergents, food items, shaving kits, bathing soap, water jugs, buckets, wheelchairs, caps, walking sticks among many other items that can be used by the elderly.
Our target is Nyumba ya Wazee in Kasarani run by Little Sisters of the Poor and we intend to visit and put a smile on their faces.”
According to Gobanga, Christmas is not just about gifts, Christmas trees, lights everywhere or even the choir singing carols.
“Are these things bad? Absolutely not, but they can be. Without an understanding for some and for others with negative targeted strategies, many do not understand the heart of Christmas but instead go with the hype of Christmas,” she says.
“Keeping the Spirit of Christmas is very important in every generation. This is because appreciating the significance of the day causes many to find their balance and recentre, as they look at the true meaning of love.
Love is being able to sacrifice for one another. It is a temporary setback for another’s miracle.
Nowadays, emphasis is on me, myself, and I. While the bible encourages us to love ourselves, it also encourages us to love others in the same way.”
Pastor Gobanga encourages people to come up with different ways to make Christmas meaningful without losing the joy of Christmas.
“Today’s generation is mostly given to blessings but not the blesser. Christmas is a good time to reconnect, perfect time to spark a conversation that will see the hearts of those surrounding you begin to glow for Jesus as you take time to reflect on His love,” she says.
According to Pastor Ivy Musyimi, growing up, they were poor and survived on her father’s wages of Sh200 daily.
“We could barely afford to celebrate Christmas. Every time help came knocking from family and friends during Christmas, our childhood dreams became alive.
Enjoying a meal of chapati and stew made a big difference in our lives,” says Musyimi.
“I recall this particular Christmas when no one had invited us over and all we had was the usual githeri.
We were all sad as a family. Then a road carnage forced some of our cousins who were enroute to Nanyuki to sleep over at our home.
They came with all their shopping for Christmas and till today I thank God for His provision during every Christmas.”
Musyimi says Christmas is a season of celebration and by remembering another family, it goes on to say that everyone has a right to celebrate.
“Many have saved up for the season but some ride on the goodwill of others during the season hence an act of extending a hand to the less fortunate and doing more than we normally do goes a long way to put a smile on the faces of many during this season,” she says.
MAking a difference
Ultimately, Christmas is as much about giving as it is receiving. It is embedded in our culture as a time where we give to those less fortunate than ourselves hence, we should strive to make a difference in every Christmas season.
