Christmas is a beautiful season, a season of goodwill and love to all persons, a time of sparkling lights, extravagant decor, melodious music, good food; indeed it is a wonderful family and religious event.
It is a joyous celebration for every Christian denomination, and it has been that way all these years.
Every year more than 400 million people celebrate Christmas around the world - that makes Christmas one of the world's biggest religious festivals. In approximately year 300 A.D., it was determined that the birthday of Jesus will be celebrated on December 25, and the day has been celebrated since then.
Christmas is central to the Christmas and holiday season, and in Christianity marks the beginning of the larger season of Chirstmastide which lasts twelve days.
Although traditionally a Christian holiday, Christmas is also widely celebrated by many non-Christians, and some of its popular celebratory customs have pre-Christian or secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, music, an exchange of greetings cards, church ceremonies, a special meal, and the display of various decorations; including Christmas trees, lights, garlands, mistletoe, nativity scenes, and holly. In addition, Father Christmas - known as Santa Claus in some areas - is a popular mythological figure in many countries associated with the bringing of gifts for children.
Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.
Let us all joyfully and unambiguously recognize the true meaning of Christmas, and celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace by saying it loud and clear to everyone - "Merry Christmas - Long live - Merry Christmas" and May God bless The Gambia.
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Agnes M. Pharo
