The great merry-making season of the year was around the corner. Each year, I looked forward to seeing Christmas lights everywhere, various homes as well as public places being decorated with fictitious characters like snowman, Kriss Kringle and many others, everyone beautifully adorned going to see a movie or to have some fun, and there's Santa Claus who gives pleasant gifts to children. Apparently, that was my definition of Christmas. 

It was Christmas eve, my family and I were privileged to entertain some august visitors. It will be save to say they were the instrument sent by God to bring the good news to my home.

My parents had just two kids, my brother and I. My brother was a year and some months older than I, we'd grown almost to the same height and people often mistaken us for twins. I won't call my home a Christian home, my mother barely prayed. I doubt if my parents knew the way to church to them it was like a mere building where people go to worship an unseen God.

“Hello children, how have you been?” they said. “Good day sir/ma, we've been doing fine” we replied. I don't think I know these people I can't recall ever seeing them before, there I was wallowing in my thoughts till I heard my mother's voice “children, meet my coursemates David and Anna from the university of Lagos now Mr & Mrs Okoro they are here to pay us a visit before Christmas”. It was there and then I knew who they were. 

My mother went further by talking about their university days. “Who could have believed you guys will become a couple today. Then Anna never liked David she assumed he was nonchalant towards his academic growth”. Some words she said made us burst into tears and sometimes laughter. All these made me realize how powerful love is.

The dinning table was already set so my parents welcomed the couples to dine and wine with us. Earlier that day, I had spent hours trying to assist my mother in cooking a sumptuous meal and believe me when I say the food came out real good. 

Our visitors gave accolades for a meal well done, I sincerely loved their comments. They literally showered us with praises regarding our warm gesture towards them. It is great seeing people appreciate one's effort, this goes a long way.

Everyone was done eating so my brother and I cleared the plates from the dinning table and rushed back to the sitting room to bid farewell to our visitors but to our utmost surprise, they were not in a hurry. We then decided to have a little discussion.

“What does Christmas mean to you?” Mrs Okoro asked. I responded quickly afterwards my brother spoke. Our responses did not differ it varied from receiving gifts, having fun and being surrounded by loved ones. Well, that's nice, but have you experienced the joy of Christmas? It is a good thing to celebrate Christmas with loved ones but the reason for the season should not be derelict. 

From that very moment Mrs Okoro began to talk about the birth of Jesus and for the first time in twelve years, I heard someone tell the truth of God's word(the Bible).

Yes it's Christmas! A season seposed by many to bestow love but I want you to know that God -the father showed the first and great love by giving us his only begotten son(JESUS) that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

In Luke 2:11 a grand proclamation was made by an angel which lays out the birth of Jesus Christ. This proves that Jesus came to this earth in the most vulnerable fashion and we are yet to comprehend the depth of his compassion which brought forth eternal life and hope to mankind.

This same Jesus was sent to earth to execute a great mission which is the redemption of souls. He paid the ultimate price by dying on the cross of Calvary to destroy the works of S-I-N(Satan Identification Number) which had been imprinted on man from the days of our forefathers(Adam and Eve) in the beginning of creation.

And SIN has nothing good to offer but eternal damnation, sorrow, grief and regrets. That's why the bible tells us in John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” The devil's (Satan) mission is to tarnish man but Jesus has come to save us from the devil's attack and at last reign with him in heaven.

At this point I was wowed. I took a glance at my brother and parents to figure out their facial expression they were also astonished. Mrs Okoro continued...

You would have heard the catchphrase “Jesus Christ is the reason for the season" this, is more than a cliché people hang on the wall or something they simply say. When Christ abides in one's heart, there will be a unique motive in celebrating Christmas. 

How can Christ abide in my heart? I interrupted her.

Oh! Little one Christ will love to be in your heart today, every Christmas and always. You can have him in your heart by simply saying “Jesus Christ I want you in my heart because I want to have the real joy you give". That very moment, I prayed that simple prayer believing that Christ will abide in my heart.

Tears rolled down my tender cheeks as I embraced Mrs. Okoro the God-sent who prayed with me. In the next few minutes I began to feel delighted from within the joy was surreal.

This will definitely be the best Christmas ever because I just got Christ in my heart the reason for the season. Christmas now made sense to me, I now believe I can experience the joy that comes with Christmas whether it's the season or not.

That very day I became my family and I became a Christian. The couple helped in suggesting a place where we could fellowship as a family. I just can't wait to worship God with fellow brethren and be taught the undiluted word of God. I went to bed fulfilled that night, like I got the whole joy of Christmas is my heart already. God bless the wonderful couple.

The noisy sound of music from neighbouring compounds woke me up from sleep. Yay! It's Christmas! A day I had longed-for and yes, I be going out with my loved ones. We had decided to attend a Christmas programme organised by a church and then we can celebrate as a family having some friends around too but this time it will be done differently having Christ as our main focus and making merry. Because, today belongs to him and he alone should be celebrated.

As day goes by, I began to grow into believing that Christmas can be celebrated everyday of my life because Jesus Christ is now abides in my heart. The joy I have in Christ is unending, it gives abundant life, good health and peace.

#IkoChristmas23