From childhood, I have always wondered
What the Christmas season was all about
From childhood, I have always wondered
Why there was a particular season to kill chicken
Or a time that a recipe looked more appealing
The air blows dry
The dust paints one whiter than a clown
The sun shines in rage
The earth becomes hard as crust
Yet man is happier than other days of the year
Sometimes, I wonder why
Is it the satisfaction of the year running to an end?
Is it the anticipation of a new year?
Is it the mandatory holidays by various calendars of the world?
Or the joy of a season many do not even know about?
Many save all through the year to lavish in this season
Many embark on various journeys they never had in this season
Many take a break and are nowhere to be found in this season
Many purchase gifts and necessary items in this season
And many more finally find time to be with their families in this season
Of a truth, there is no holiday recognized globally with a greater effect than Christmas
Maybe because there is a greater percentage of Christians
Maybe because it coincides with the end of the year
Maybe because man just needs a reason to rest
Or maybe there is a spirit that makes this season worth the celebration
I remember my first consciousness of Christmas
My mother had a fixed smile
I had the loveliest clothes to compensate months of no new clothes
Visitors flocked in and out my home
And finally, I had food to my greatest satisfaction
The beginning of the season began with dance rehearsals in school
I was also chosen to act like Mary in the Bible
Who she was at the moment, I did not know
I also gave birth to the cutest baby and while we sang,
Parents and teachers gave us the loudest claps
Once school closed, my joy tripled
Nothing beats not going to school at my age
My friends and I spoke in loud voices about our clothes
We argued that we had the best clothes
Though we hid them from ourselves till Christmas day
Some days, my parents took us to see extended families
I met cousins I never knew
Some, I made friends with
Others I never wished to see again
Maybe the reason for the season is to bring us all together
Soon, I became a teenager
And soon, I did not care less whatever season we had
As long as I am left alone
I saw the season as an opportunity to live and breathe my room
But my mother had other ideas
Suddenly, I was no longer the child left to run around
I was stuck up in the kitchen cooking for hours
Feeding both families I know and those I didn’t
There were days I worked till I could no longer feel my hands
Maybe the reason for the season is to feed others
Christmas clothes was not only for the young
My mother had a matching lace and head gear
My father had shoes already polished and clothes ironed
My siblings were not left out
Every penny saved by my mother went into purchasing them all
It was a taboo not to be in your best during the season
Why then did you work all through the year?
What’s the joy of all the hard work?
Why would you want to be the odd one out?
Maybe the reason for the season is to wear the clothes in vogue
My university was not located in our state
My brothers too
I also knew so many people who worked in states far enough as more than 24 hours’ road journey
Yet, I do not know the season many travel home more
The long hours on the road notwithstanding
Adejare had a minor accident some years ago
Uncle Benjamin lost his left leg
Aunty Chioma was kidnapped and ransomed with a million naira
My father was attacked by kidnappers
So many scary stories enough to make one cancel travels in this season
Well, here we are
Still travelling year after year
Praying as we embark on our journeys
Hoping we would not become a December statistic
Because we must and will visit home during Christmas
Many who suddenly decide to wait behind almost regret immediately
Cities are deserted
The roads empty
Certain governmental facilities shut down
Making one wonder if the reason for the season is to travel home
I would not fail to mention Church
After all, the origin of it all started there
Decorations climb up immediately on the first week of December
Activities triple like never before
And suddenly, every message becomes a Christmas message
It hurts when as a child you are not chosen
For either drama, choreography or Bible recitation
Mothers will fight to ensure their wards participate
Many will clap even if their wards do nothing but stand transfixed on the stage
Maybe, the reason for the season is the avalanche of activities
Adulthood makes one sit to analyze every single thing
Analyze why the sun is up
Why the moon waits till night to reflect
Why man must work to eat
Or why everyone anticipates this season
Christ came as a gift to all men
Christ travelled across waters, heavens to meet man
Christ brought rest from the storms of the earth
Christ brought families together like never before
Christ used all His savings, His blood to redeem man
As I grew older and my children left
I began to count days to Christmas
I waited for the festive season that would bring my family together
I yearned for the season that would once again make my house full
That would make me joyful to be a mother and grandmother
Maybe the reasons are dependent on one another
Maybe we do not need a particular reason for a season
Maybe reasons do not really matter as long as we are happy
Maybe reasons do not need to be found to support our happiness
Maybe
These days I thank God for Christ more better
I appreciate the government for giving holidays like this
I so much value my children for sacrificing time to come home
I thank my church for cooking up activities worth remembering
I value every passing moment into a new year
The reason for the season is what we name it to be
It is the celebration over our savior’s birth
It is the beautiful time with family
It is the memorable moment of giving gifts
It is the joy we find in everything we do
