Reviving the Christmas spirit: In a calendar year, there are very many holidays.

Some holidays may only be celebrated by a specific country, e.g. a country’s independence day (4th July in the USA, and 12th December in Kenya).

In contrast, other holidays may be international e.g. Easter holiday. Despite the small number of international holidays, there is one that stands out “CHRISTMAS”. Three-quarters of the world is not at work during this time.

Most people take this time and enjoy themselves, with family and friends, while others just enjoy Christmas, as it is a time for them to rest in their homes, away from their jobs.

The past few years have given Christmas a different taste to many people.

Since COVID, most people are not able to embrace Christmas as they used to. This is mainly because some lost family members, who used to give meaning to Christmas.

COVID-19 took away many of our friends, grandparents, parents, and even some of our children.

Grandparents would invite their children, grandchildren, and their friends during Christmas, where they would then slaughter chicken, goats and cattle, and even cook the best foods for them.

This time, was a time of bonding with family members who you would not have seen for a while, maybe due to work, or due to residential distance, since even those who live abroad, would come home for Christmas.

Today, it is sad to see how much the season has changed. Family members now do not meet due to laughter, but only meet during burials.

We pretend to be too busy for our own nuclear family and prioritize our jobs in town and forget the many family members in the rural areas.

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On Christmas day, we ensure we have paid our electricity bills, and have enough movies to watch. We then grab some snacks and beer, and stay at our city homes, as we patiently await the new year.

If today our deceased family members came back to life, they would surely want to return to the dead, as they would greatly despise what has become of the Christmas season.

Yes, those who may have made Christmas have meaning, may have gone to be with the Lord, but does that mean the celebrations are dead? It is upon us, the new generation, to take an initiative and give it the mood it deserves.

If you live abroad, and you’re financially able, book that flight, go home and say hi to family, as you spend some quality time with them. If not, send them something small (i.e tuma kitu), so that they may enjoy themselves.

To those living within the country, take that bus, or drive home, meet your parents, family and friends, and spend quality time with them, as you re-live those childhood memories.

This year, let us try our best, to bring back the festive spirit, that seems to be dead.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!