Christmas traditions in Africa Vs. North America. Yet a Universal Essence!
Believe it or not, Christmas is here!
Some Intriguing Contrasts in Christmas Traditions: North America Vs. Africa
Christmas holds different meanings around the world. In Canada and the good ol’ United States, Christmas could signal preparations for significant snowfall. The frozen precipitation transforms front yards into winter wonderlands — a playground for toddlers making snow angels and a chore for adults engaged in snow shoveling. The true adulting takes a new form with schemes to extend a 3-day vacation into a luxurious 10-day escape — a classic move!
Whether you had a meticulously manicured lawn or an eclectic mix of bushes in your front yard during the year, we’re all in the same boat with Christmas just around the corner.
Christmas could also mean gifts, travels, large family gatherings, and perhaps some food wastage in the average North American home. It might also mean Christmas movies, especially if you’re hoping for Prince Charming or Miss Right under the mistletoe, you know the struggle is real.
Let’s Take a Trip To Nigeria
Now, if you’re from where I grew up, Christmas takes a different form. It’s a time for church programs or street parties (if you don’t mesh with church), minus the snow. Children receive gifts from their parents, not a rotund fellow in a red velvet suit. Forget about hunting for gifts under a Christmas tree — Mama just hands them over.
Unless you were the kid who traveled abroad for Summer holidays.
No fancy Lego sets or battery-operated toy hummer trucks. The surprise element in gifts is replaced by the certainty of new clothes — the ones you rock to church during the Christmas season. And don’t forget the killer sun shades to complete the look.
In that part of the world, depending on how deep your pocket goes, you get to indulge in a lot more chicken than the entire year. Storing them in the intestinal reserve becomes a necessity, as Jesus is born only once a year. Sharing food with neighbors is also a tradition. God bless the soul of the last born in the house. They get those extra errands.
Life Experiences Unite Both Continents During Christmas
As you grow up though, the Christmas tone could also depend on your current life experiences. If you’ve had a good year, the Christmas period is indeed a “Joy To The World”. But if you’ve had a not-too-good year, Christmas could be a reminder of dashed hopes, unmet expectations and the weight of unrealized dreams, tempting you to put the Christmas season on fast-forward.
Having experienced unmet desires, I’ve learned to allow gratefulness to prevail over disappointments.
Embracing the beauty of what was, rather than dwelling on what wasn’t, brings a new perspective and hopefulness for the upcoming year.
My Deepest Christmas Reflections
Also, over the years, Christmas has evolved in meaning for me. I also found that there is no way you’d intelligibly capture the meaning of Christmas without the Christian worldview. The biblical story of a baby born to a virgin, foretold by angels and prophets, holds the key to understanding Christmas for me.
The story unfolds like this:
A baby is born through a virgin young lady — Mary, who was espoused to Joseph. An angel had visited the two lovers on independent accounts and explained to them that indeed a miraculous seed had been planted in Mary’s womb. But then, Mary’s cousin Elizabeth had a similar experience, having seen an angel. On another note, a notable prophet had spoken about these details just about 700 years before then.
Here are my reflections:
The Empirical Coherence
First, the empirical coherence of the events, and the consistency of accounts, both in the period around Jesus’ birth and the written prophetic texts several centuries beforehand is a miracle, and is mind-blowing.
The Virgin Mary
Second, the virgin birth, symbolizing chastity, also depicts a young lady who stands against the tides of conformity. Her response through the supernatural experience with an angel also indicates faith. Put together, chastity and the right heart response made her that point of convergence of two realities — two worlds — the world of order and the chaotic world.
The Lowly Birth
The third is the paradox of a divine miracle, caught in-between a lowly birth. The contradiction of the highest deity, choosing the most precious seed to be born in the lowliest place on earth — a manger — a cattle feeding trough is truly humbling. This is precisely why Christmas holds a special place in my heart..
You Should Do This During This Christmas Season.
This Christmas season, I urge you to reflect. Whether you’re shoveling snow or partying in the streets, hunting for gifts or having them handed to you, living your best life or you’d rather fast-forwarding through Christmas — make it more meaningful.
Reflection births purpose, defines vision, and unveils a meaningful life pursuit. Let’s recapture the wonder of Christmas together. Merry Christmas to you.
PS: You can watch the monologue where I shared these thoughts in greater details here:
