By David Onwuchekwa
As Christmas draws near, it is important to remind ourselves that the festive excitement should not blind us to the realities that await in January 2026.
Every year, many households face a heavy financial burden immediately after the holidays, renewal of house rent, payment of school fees, settling of debts, and meeting other unavoidable obligations. These responsibilities do not disappear simply because December feels joyful. They return, and often return with pressure.
Christmas is first and foremost a season of sober reflection. It is a sacred period to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, whose life teaches humility, sacrifice, love, and righteousness. This season is meant for us to look inward, reassess our relationship with Christ, and make conscious efforts to walk in the path of truth and goodness.
It is not a time to compete, show off, or engage in careless spending. Many people fall into the trap of buying what they do not need just to impress those who do not care. Others borrow unnecessarily to fund lifestyles that last only a few hours. But true Christmas is not measured by how loudly we celebrate, it is measured by how deeply we love.
This period offers a golden opportunity to help the downtrodden, the elderly, widows, orphans, and struggling families around us. We should consciously budget for this class of citizens at Christmas.
Even the smallest act of kindness, a meal, a gift, or a reassuring word, can lift someone’s spirit.
Christmas also teaches forgiveness, urging us to let go of grudges and embrace peace, just as Christ embraced humanity with unconditional love.
Equally important is the call for citizens to contribute meaningfully to their communities. Whether through volunteering, supporting communal initiatives, or simply promoting peace and order, everyone has a role to play.
Christmas should be a season that strengthens communities, not one that breeds trouble, conflict, or intimidation of the weak.
However, one worrying trend that resurfaces every year is the tendency of some traders and transporters to exploit the season.
Many deliberately inflate prices of basic goods, hoard essential items, or increase transport fares without justification, all in a bid to make supernormal profits. This act is not only exploitative but deeply immoral, especially at a time when many families are already struggling with the harsh economic realities of the present day.
There is no legitimate reason prices of goods and services should suddenly rise simply because Christmas is around the corner. Such acts worsen the suffering of the masses and contradict the very spirit of the season.
Those who engage in such practices should remember that God sees all things, and exploiting others, especially during a season meant for goodwill, is a grave sin.
This Christmas, let us strive to be our brother’s keeper. Let us show mercy, love, and fairness. The true essence of the season lies not in how much we spend, but in how responsibly we live, how compassionately we act, and how sincerely we care for others.
