The season of Christmas is celebrated every year to signify peace, joy and prosperity for all men on earth. It is celebrated by Christians and non-Christians, making it one of the greatest events celebrated by everyone in the world.

The celebration of Christmas begins a few days before the actual event on December 25 when various preparations are made to get inputs for the celebration.

PLANS AND PREPARATIONS

During this preparation, plans are put in place to ensure that the celebration takes place in a peaceful and cordial manner. This is not only examined from the Christian perspective but from the perspective of non-Christians as well. The normal practice is to see people celebrating the occasion in joy and extending goodwill and happiness to people around them.

RELIGIOUS IN KIND

It must be noted, however, that Christmas is religious in kind because Christians believe that the Saviour of the world came to mankind to save him from misery and bring joy and happiness to mankind. Having celebrated Christmas for a long time, it will be difficult for this occasion to be wiped off, meaning that as a festival it ought to be celebrated in the expected religious way. The expected religious way is that man did not come into the world by chance but was created by God to enable him remember his Creator at all times. The Creator, therefore, brought His son to bring salvation to mankind irrespective of where they find themselves in the world. Christmas is, therefore, a season for peace and unity aimed at bringing together people who will unite and build societies in a positive manner for the good of mankind. The season signifies peace at all times that is why it must be marked by peaceful activities that ensure peace prevails in all communities, nations and the world as a whole.

ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT

One essential ingredient is unity so individuals are expected to show respect towards one another recognise their differences and misunderstandings as well as work towards improving upon relationship with one another in order to be able to live in harmony.

The purpose of the religious significance of Christmas is to bring together people in this way for them to show love towards one another and also live in peace irrespective of ethnicity, creed, race, colour and other beliefs.

For a nation like Ghana, the various political parties, individuals and interest groups are expected to work together in a meaningful manner so that national aspirations and development can be achieved within a very short time.

CHALLENGES

The world today is going through various challenges and so political actors and interest groups are expected to show respect towards one another, accommodate one another in terms of differences in views, and be prepared to cope with another for the common good.

National development brings on board the attainment of aspirations reflecting on every individual mind which can be galvanised together to push the entire nation forward and achieve the ultimate goal of all in terms of progress, development, prosperity, peace and better life.

The common interest of Ghanaians ought to be pursued in a positive way to bring about the kind of transformation needed for all Ghanaians to realise that, indeed, the country has been able to come together through and beyond the Christmas season in attaining what it has achieved for the good of all.

SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRISTMAS

Christmas, therefore, signifies peace and must be celebrated as such, avoiding needless merrymaking that will put lives in trouble or endanger properties in society. Similarly, goodwill messages must be genuine and extended to all irrespective of religious affiliation or beliefs so that mankind will embrace individuals in society and make them happy for our common national development in line with the purpose of Christmas.

As an occasion celebrated from time to time, the season of Christmas is celebrated to enable people make merry, sometimes forgetting about the religious significance of the occasion and its purpose for mankind. Christmas reflects the birth and purpose of Christ who came to save mankind and extend happiness and joy to every part of the world.

Many people take advantage of the season to organise transactions and economic activities that give them substantial rates of profit. Profit making here should not be condemned but it should be reasonable so that friends and neighbours cannot be seen to be over exploited. It is equally important for us to pay attention to the kinds or types of goods that are bought from the market. If Christmas is an occasion for peace and happiness, then people must refrain from exploitation of one another through deceitful transactions aimed at profiteering.

The quality of products and services offered for sale must be thoroughly examined so that only the best can be given out to customers who come into the market to buy to satisfy their needs. If the quality of products is satisfactory, the end result will be good for all and people shall celebrate the season without falling sick, or injuring themselves.

Good items offered for sale must be of high quality so that injuries to the body can be avoided. This way, we would be able to save money that otherwise would have been used into many forms of medication for the medical care of people who become subjected to injuries.

Similarly, non-food item such as electrical gadgets, clothing, leather materials and so on must also be made to go by standards and quality so that avoidable injuries will not be encountered before, during, and after the season. Furthermore, driving on the roads must be done with care to avoid needless accidents.

There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it unpleasant conditions to all parts of the world including Ghana. As we speak today, the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections has been detected at Kotoka International Airport in Ghana so we expect the health authorities to be up and doing as they have always done so as to be able to cater for the people of this country.

While the health authorities are working hard to monitor the situation and bring it under control, we expect each and everyone in the country to play his or her part in ensuring that we all keep to the COVID-19 prevention safety protocols.

The safety protocols include regular wearing of nose masks, avoiding overcrowding in places while keeping to social distancing during events. It is equally important to pay attention to regular washing of hands, use of alcohol based sanitisers and keeping to general safety protocols as announced by government and health authorities. If these measures are rigidly kept by individuals and also enforced by the authorities, it will make it possible for people in this country to live meaningful lives before, during and after the Christmas season.

It is also important for everyone to get vaccinated so that when the enforcement of the vaccination order begins early next year, we would all be able to show evidence of compliance. If we all come together with this common understanding, the country will move forward in great leaps and bounds for the good of everyone.

There is no doubt that the Christmas season provides for countries and communities to undertake various socio- economic activities that help to promote the welfare of their people. This ensures the dignity of quality life to everyone in the country or community.

This is pleasant socio- economic development that must be encouraged everywhere in Ghana and elsewhere.

Examples include improvement in the health sector, successful fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, trade, quality life and unity as well as respect for one another and general progress in society.

This is what Ghana needs as a country to progress to the next level.

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