AS YOU MERRY ON...

Fellow Steemians, it's another CHRISTMAS!

credit: gypsy.ninja

It's another festival of giving, merriment and togetherness. It's a season everyone always look up to, a season every individual do anticipate and plan towards, a "special" season.

We thank the good Lord for the gift of His son, Jesus Christ ,word made flesh; a man like us in all things but sin. We appreciate the Almighty for sparing our lives to witness yet another birthday celebration of Christ, which is just a week to the start of another calender year. It's a great privilege we do not deserve but for His mercy. May His name be praised and adored forever. Amen.

"Christmas is usually a noisy party: we could use a bit of silence to hear the voice of love"... Pope Francis

credit: Devon live

The Yuletide season is basically a season of love. We celebrate God's love for humanity by giving to us His only son, Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace at a time of chaos, anarchy and anxiety.

Thus it is imperative we avoid "merriment out of context". Our celebration will be meaningless without an iota of love and cheerfulness to our neighbors.

Hence I deemed it worthy to reiterate and remind us of some facts as we merry on. Let's not forget the season is for everyone at it ushers us to the New Year.

It's going to be personal and I want readers to see it as such.

• GIVE WITHOUT EXPECTING ANYTHING IN RETURN
  St Francis of Assisi in his famous prayer asked God to grant him the grace to "give without counting the cost". This is the form of giving advisable this season. I understand you are used to offering chicken to your immediate "well to do" neighbor in expectance of rice and groundnut oil; do extra this season. Focus more on the less privileged.

The food stuffs and clothes you'll give goes a long way. You can even organise a mini party for the poor people in your area. Make this Christmas a special occasion. See the Baby Jesus in everyone and your rewards will be heavenly.

• **AS YOU JOURNEY... **
  
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Remember no journey is too small. Be it intra or inter-state, ensure you commit all movement into God's hands. Do not be too hasty to enter "one chance"; ensure you go to the park. If your spirit goes against a particular vehicle or driver, do not hesitate to board another or go the next day. It may be God's way of protecting you from the plagues and danger of the road.

If it's your vehicle, please avoid wrecklessness. Do not overspeed. Don't drink if you'll have to drive.

As a passenger, do not be ashamed to warn and shout continuously at the driver for overspeeding. Other passengers may not join you at first, they'll join along. "life has no duplicate", do not be ashamed to protect yours.

• MANAGE TO SEE EVERYONE AS YOUR NEIGHBOR
  This goes especially to those travelling to their home town or village. No matter how uncivilized and degraded they seem, bring yourself down to their level. Do not intimidate anyone by your actions of sanity and civilization. Play, laugh, sing, rejoice and Merry with everyone in the spirit of Christmas.

The importance of giving cannot be overflogged an it's the essence of the season. "You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving". Show love as you give. Let those who encounter you feel loved.

• DO NOT OVERSPEND
  Yes! Spending responsibly is equally important. It would not be nice to get stranded after the whole merry. Be well disciplined not to spend the money kept for your transport.

Remember also an a salary earner that you may not get "bank alert" until the end of January next year. Know also an a business man/woman that the economy is always stagnant at the beginning of the New Year. Do not start the year broke as a result of overspending at this end of the present year.

Be judicious, be diligent, be responsible!

• LIVE EVERY OTHER DAY LIKE IT'S CHRISTMAS
  
  credit: Thatsmags.com

Beyond this season and the celebration it brings, extend the acts of love, sharing and togetherness every where. Do not limit or halt the good deeds of Christmas to only the season. Let your colleagues, partners, associates, members, brethren and neighbors continually see and feel Christ's love in you and through you.

Continue to love, care, respect, forgive, console, condole, advice, admit, proclaim and preach peace to others. Only then can you tell how fruitful your Christmas is.

IN CONCLUSION
I'll leave you with this beauty from Pope Francis:

Christmas is usually a noisy party: we could use a bit of silence, to hear the voice of Love."
Christmas is you, when you decide to be born again each day and let God into your soul. The Christmas pine is you, when you resist vigorous winds and difficulties of life. The Christmas decorations are you, when your virtues are colors that adorn your life. The Christmas bell is you, when you call, gather and seek to unite. You are also a Christmas light, when you illuminate with your life the path of others with kindness, patience, joy and generosity. The Christmas angels are you, when you sing to the world a message of peace, justice and love. The Christmas star is you, when you lead someone to meet the Lord. You are also the wise men, when you give the best you have no matter who. Christmas music is you when you conquer the harmony within you. The Christmas gift is you, when you are truly friend and brother of every human being. The Christmas card is you, when kindness is written in your hands. The Christmas greeting is you, when you forgive and reestablish peace, even when you suffer. The Christmas dinner is you, when you sated bread and hope to the poor man who is by your side. You are, yes, Christmas night, when humble and conscious, you receive in the silence of the night the Savior of the world without noise or great celebrations; you are a smile of trust and tenderness, in the inner peace of a perennial Christmas that establishes the Kingdom within you. A very Merry Christmas for all those who look like Christmas.

I wish us all a joyous celebration.

I'm Tomfreeman!