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NewsDay

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Have fun in moderation

Columnists
The coming of the Christmas holiday heralds and signifies many things. The arrival of this day on your calendar notifies you of an end to a year and the coming of a new year.

The coming of the Christmas holiday heralds and signifies many things. The arrival of this day on your calendar notifies you of an end to a year and the coming of a new year.

Depending on where you’re coming from you either reflect and panic or reflect and refocus. It’s a cause to celebrate for others and a season of counting missed opportunities for some. Some recline to the same old story, so near yet so far. Some are expecting to receive gifts, while others are planning to give. Another group expects both to receive and give and the last group expects nothing. This is a time where there’re already prepared messages, speeches, flyers, etc, that always circulate this season ad nauseum. The coming of Christmas brings its own expectations. I will give us something that we can draw lessons from.

One thing that’s important to do over the holiday is rest. We’re always surrounded by problems and enough rest will help us refresh. There’re great years ahead that need your renewed energy not diminished strength. Some assume they are in positions of responsibility that no one can steer the ship in their absence. They work so hard and die of exhaustion on the job before their time. The general excuse in an economy like ours is that a great number are self-employed and feel a day off is too much luxury. Whatever the excuses, the human body needs rest. Try to plan well, develop a team, delegate and develop a succession plan. No matter how you and I esteem ourselves, the world will be still there in our absence. Who knows, perchance it will be better.

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As Christmas comes, I always recall history. This is a season where in the rural areas, people would gather at growth points and rural shopping centres to drink and socialise. Christmas Day would start with wearing of new clothes and a customary church attendance, where the priest would make sure to conduct a short service. Back home chicken and rice will be waiting coupled with simmering traditional brew known as seven days. The breakfast would have been unlimited bread, lined with extra margarine and trademark red jam, served in a winnowing basket, accompanied with strong thick tea. Every family expected neighbours and relatives from the city to visit and eat and drink to the full. The culture of sharing has always been at the core of our values.

Back in the city, parties, outings and visits were the norm. Extra food and drink was always a standard. Cinema houses recorded brisk business. Neighbours who did not usually greet each other exchanged pleasantries. Bottle stores and municipal beer halls would be packed to capacity as the day progressed. The excessive volumes on stereos would scare the birds away. Nowadays it is the firecrackers, some of them are a real scare.

By nature human beings love partying. Taking a leaf from Apostle Paul, I urge you to rejoice. He writes in Philippians 4:4-5: “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” In whatever way you are going to celebrate, it is important to remember that we should not enjoy by sinning. As you enjoy yourself, do it in moderation not throwing your values away. Rejoice in a godly manner. Stay away from adultery, prostitution, fornication and illicit drugs.

Take the opportunity to socialise and make friends. Open your doors to hospitality. As you share with others, divine doors will be opened in your life. Buy someone something you want someone to buy you. Send groceries to perceived enemies. I encourage you to reach out your hand above the perimeter walls that keep us from relating with our neighbours. Forgive your enemies and receive with warmth your neighbours whom you wrongly accuse of bewitching you. There are answers and breakthroughs that only come from sharing and fellowshipping.

As you spend your money, let it not come as a surprise that there will be school fees and tuition to be paid in January. For many in formal employment, next salary will be end of January. Spend wisely. Pay fees now and buy uniforms now. Some of you need to look for Form One places for your children. Do it now and buy the trunks now. Don’t say you didn’t know. Wisdom says that you should not keep on repeating the same mistake. Aren’t you fed up of complaining of January disease every year? Planning and being organised show that you are a mature Christian. Don’t be haphazard and careless about life.

You are going somewhere.

lAll Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible Feedback: [email protected]