FEW years ago while I was still with the Christian community, I heard from an eloquent speaker whose hermeneutical vehemence I respect, saying, “December is the love month of the year.”
This proselytization provoked my inquisitive mind to be attentive to his preaching. And he continued “because the greatest gift was given to mankind according to John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son....”
He may be right according to his spiritual conviction, and that one may quickly jump that it is not February but December is the love month of the year.
While it may be true for Christians that God gave His son according to the Bible, it is a raw doctrine and dangerous to swallow when the same bible is silent about the date the gift was given. History however tells the tale about the “hows” and “whys” the Christian world started the festivity.
In today’s celebration of gift-giving, and receiving I suppose, it is not only the Christians that are blessed literally. But the lion’s share of fortune belongs to the non-Christians whose mind-set is to make business during the season.
Look at all Christmas stuffs, fads and crazes around, and you will realize who supplied it. Like selling of fire crackers in the sidewalks, are they Christians? Who imported the substandard blinkers and lanterns, are they Christians? The supplier of mass-produced Christmas trees, hams and bacons for the banquet table, new clothes and shoes for the parties, gadgets and all sorts of newbies, are they Christians?
The truth of the matter is that while the Christians are festive, the businessmen who do not believe Christ are raking and amassing huge amount of monies from the jovial Christians.
Be that as it may, that religious practice is an integral piece that dictates the world economy. We may lack of awareness or at worse scenario, we are blinded on the business aspect as you may call it, but the spirit of Christmas and laughter will live on as co-terminus with the religious freedom.