I have very vivid memories of Christmas. In fact, growing up, it was as if the entire year was leading up to Christmas. After Christmas, we would look forward to the next year’s Christmas season. It was amazing! Everything just… made sense! There was a lot to eat (Lolx. I LOOOVVVEE good cooking. :D). For some reason, coke and malt drinks never ran out. It was the one time of the year where I could have an endless supply of candies and ice cream; as long as I didn’t ask for them – the elders couldn’t afford to have glutton children. Hehe.
There was the constant scent of new clothes: “Christmas clothes” – every child’s favourite scent. New clothes, new shoes, new toys… all enfolded in the most colourful wrapped-up boxes. We had Christmas lights and greetings cards hung on strings across the parlours of every home.
Since our parents didn’t want us messing up the Christmas preparations, they would send us out to play. All the children in my neighbourhood, therefore, had an endless amount of time to play - except for the times when we were trusted to help out without ruining anything. Every house had a unique aroma to it. If it wasn’t Jollof rice, it was fried rice, fried chicken, orange juice, salad cream… OR ALL OF THEM COMBINED!!!
There just had to be something smelling nice in your house.
Growing up in Maiduguri, Christmas was one of the few times of the year when the weather was not scalding hot, freezing cold, nor raining cats and dogs. It was just nice and cool. All the Holy Masses, especially the Christmas Vigil Mass, were just soul-melting. The atmosphere felt like we were actually standing in the manger witnessing the birth of Christ.
THAT WAS THE CHRISTMAS FEELING!!!
Then it dawned on me. EVERYTHING that made Christmas have that special feeling was because of my parents and the friends I had growing up. In other words, I have never actually done something to make someone else’s Christmas memorable. And you’re probably in the same situation.
BUSTED! :D
So, rather than sit down and wait for someone to invite me for an event, or wait for a friend to visit, I’m going to take this Christmas season, and turn it into a blast! – keeping in mind, of course, the reason for the season. :)
What are you going to do for Christmas?
You still have seven days to the end of 2015. Make ‘em count!
Merry Christmas! :D