Christmas is around the round and it is usually with pomp and pagentry here.
It is also usually celebrated with Carols organized by different churches, organizations and governments.
Today, the 15th day of our 20 days Blogmas, I am welcoming you once again as we journey into what I will be listening to during this memorable Christmastime. They are just five of them and one of them is in Yoruba. Enjoy as you Google search these songs for your enjoyment.
1. Odún nlo s’opin – Christ Apostolic Church Good Women Choir.
Literally translated to mean the year is coming to an end.
This song is so evergreen to us in the southwest of Nigeria to the extent that as if we have agreed that it should be played only in the latter part of the year especially ember months and once we hear it been played, we all agreed that Christmas is here.
It is a song of praise and prayer and it is a 3-track album. Enjoy the refrain of the first track.
Odún nlo s’opin ooo, Baba rere.
Baba ma so mi tomotomo,
Ohun ti oo pamilekun o o lodun titun,
Maje ko ṣẹle Simi baba rere.
Meaning: the year is coming to an end, good Father,
Father, kept watch over me and my children,
What will make me cry in new year,
Don’t let it happen to me.
2. Hallelujah – Dunsi Oyekan.
This is a sensation worship leader right here from Nigeria. This song is a charge to always praise the Lord with a shout of hallelujah in all circumstances. This is first verse of the song
Hallelujah, that’s what song will be,
That’s what song will be,
That’s what song will be.
Even in the midst of pandemic and the now virulent omicron, our song is hallelujah!
3. Wondeful worker – Nathaniel Bassey.
No long sermon. Reflect on the first lyrics
Summer, winter, autumn, spring,
Mountains, blue skies and seas,
Rainbow, sunshine and trees,
Jesus maker of them all.
4. What a Beautiful Name – Hillsong.
Who doesn’t love Hillsong? I love them for their deep worship songs.
Before I dissect topic day 14, I will like to appreciate you all for the visits, likes and comments for the past 3 years of starting this blog.
You are just wondeful!
Now to today’s business.
The script of Christmas drama was entirely written, directed and actors and actresses chosen entirely chosen and directed by God and God only.
Last I said yesterday, old testament is the promise and the New Testament is culmination of events.
I dare say all the verses of New Testament are Christmasitic because without the birth of Messiah, there can Gospel books, Acts and the epistels, even much celebrated Pauline epistels.
If there was no Christmas, what will writers of New Testament write about?
That’s settled, enjoy the Noel with these biblical passages that talks about Christmas in the New Testament:
1. Matthew 1: 1, 18, 21-23.
An account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant from the Holy Spirit.She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”
Did the above verses ring right back to confirm what was prophesied in the Old Testament?
2. Matthew 2:1ff
The fulfilment, confirmation, the agreement and the inclusion of the Gentiles.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.” “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah: Because out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. After they were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Get up! Take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is about to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night, and escaped to Egypt. He stayed there until Herod’s death, so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled: Out of Egypt I called my Son.
3. Luke 1:26 – 35.
The first good news delivered to the medium God has chosen to use, Mary.
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. Then the angel told her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.” Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?” The angel replied to her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
4. Luke 2:6 – 7.
The first Christmas.
While they were there, the time came for her to givebirth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
5. Luke 2:8 – 12.
The call of the first evangelists.
In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
6. Luke 2:13 – 14.
The first Christmas Carol.
Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!
7. Luke 2:15-16.
Not disobedient to the heavenly vision
When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger.
8. Luke 2:20 – 21.
The sending forth for celebrating and proclaiming Christmas.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Thank you for the follows, comments and likes so far and welcome to 13th episode which is 13th day of 2021 Blogmas. I pray the the God of Christmas will endowed you with His unsurpassed glory.
Most of us think Christmas is New Testament event but we haven’t realised the the story of Christmas was actually from old testament of the Bible – right from Genesis. What happened in new testament is the fulfilment of the promise of old.
Having understand that assertion, the following passages backup the facts of Christmas in the old testament.
1. Genesis 3:15.
This verse accurately tell about the birth of Jesus.
I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.
2. Deuteronomy 18:15
“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.
Now, let’s see if there are similarities between Jesus and Moses.
Moses fasted for 40 days, Jesus also did.
Moses was hidden in the Egyptian palace, Jesus was also hidden in Egypt.
Moses delivered Isrealites from physical bondages, Jesus delivered us from both spiritual, physical, mental and social bondages.
Moses instituted the festival of Passover which involved slaughter of unblemished lamb, Jesus was the Lamb of God that took away all the sin of the world.
Moses is the law, Jesus came to fulfil the law.
Do you now agreed that Jesus is the prophesied Messiah?
3. Ruth 4:18-22.
God started writing the second chapter of Christmas in Old Testament here 👇👇
Now these are the descendants of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron of Ram, Ram of Amminadab,Amminadab of Nahshon, Nahshon of Salmon, Salmon of Boaz, Boaz of Obed, Obed of Jesse, and Jesse of David [the ancestor of Jesus Christ].(Amplified Bible).
4. Psalm 2:7
This is self explanatory.
I will declare the Lord’s decree. He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.
4. Isaiah 9:6 – 7.
The crescendo of Christmas.
For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.
5. Isaiah 53:4ff.
The Old Testament talks about the purpose of Christmas here.
Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, but he was with a rich man at his death, because he had done no violence and had not spoken deceitfully. Yet the Lord was pleased to crush him severely. When you make him a guilt offering, he will see his seed, he will prolong his days, and by his hand, the Lord’s pleasure will be accomplished. Therefore I will give him the many as a portion, and he will receive the mighty as spoil, because he willingly submitted to death, and was counted among the rebels; yet he bore the sin of many and interceded for the rebels.
6. Zechariah 2:10.
The joy of Christmas right here.
“Daughter Zion, shout for joy and be glad, for I am coming to dwell among you”—this is the Lord’s declaration.
7. Zechariah 9:9.
Hallelujah! Our King cometh!
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Dear, is there about Old Testament verse that you think convey the essence of Christmas? If yes, share with us.
All Scripture quotations from Christian Standard Bible (CSB) unless otherwise stated and all emphasises mine.
Tradition is defined as a specific practice of long standing.
Therefore today, I will talk about 5 Christmas specific practices of long standing in my family.
Most of these traditions are common to Nigerian family.
Here are my 5 most favorable traditions while growing up
1. Buying of Christmas and New year Clothes.
In a typical Nigerian family, Christmas started by contemplating on what’s new to wear on Christmas which we called odún kekere (small festival) and January 1 which is called odún nla (big festival).
My family is not different, a few days to Christmas, the female members of the house will go and get clothing materials for the house to be given to the family tailor for sewing before Christmas.
When we are small, it is uniform that is aso-ebí but when we grow up, each one of us will collect his/her share of the largess to buy what he/she likes.
2. Rearing of Chicken.
This is also traditional to an average Nigerian Christians for Christmas.
This usually started in September and the innocent chicken will be slaughtered on 25th after the Christmas service.
For most families like me, more than 4 chickens are reared. This is to cover Christmas, New year and gifting.
3. Christmas services.
We used to have 3 Christmas themed services namely; Carol, Christmas Eve on 24th and the Main service on 25th in our new clothes (if we bought any).
All these services are very special to my family and we do attend yearly.
4. Cooking and Exchange of Foods.
This is my favourite tradition.
After Christmas service at church, we return home to slaughter our chickens and cook food for family and likely visitors.
We will cook rice and prepare Amala for would-be visitors and neighbours – Christians and non-Christians alike either on Christmas day or boxing day.
We will not only give out food but assuredly, but we will also receive food packages from our Christian neighbours.
5. Visitation and Partying.
Most of our brothers, sisters, uncles, aunties and long time friends who aren’t living in the native homes are around now. We use this period to visit them, going from one house to another, eating and partying in all the places visited.
We also take the time to visit family members who will live in the same town together with also eating and merry.
That’s the 5 most cherished Christmas traditions I grew up with to mark day 12 of 2021 Blogmas.
On the 11th day of Blogmas, you as true love can plan and package a gift for him this season afterall Christmas symbolises love.
Who is he? The he/him could be your boyfriend, fiance, brother or male friends.
Dear women in our life, I am bringing it to your notice the we too are not anti-gift infact we are pro-gift and we will surely appreciate if we can get any of these from you this season of love:
1. Favorite club jersey.
2. Pairs of Boxers/Singlets.
3. Christmas haircut payment.
4. Data recharge.
5. Viewing centre subscription (imagine deposting 1k at his football house for next season. In Nigeria, that is 10 matches).
6. Match tickets for December. 🤦
7. Books.
8. Bible.
9. Some litres of petrol if he got car/bike.
10. Cable TV Subs.
11. Bags.
12. Wallets.
13. Doormat.
14. Bedspread.
15. Belt.
16. Pay-by-me Dates to fast food outlets, cinemas, beaches, vacation, etc.
17. T-Shirts.
18. Customised towel.
19. Bathroom/ Palm Slippers.
20. Pay for any online seminar that can benefit him.
21. Shaving Stick/Blades/Powder.
22. Shoe Polish/brush.
23. Perfume/deodorant/body Spray.
24. Credit Recharges.
25. Credit Alerts.
26. Clothing materials.
28. Game console and
29. ???
30. Love
Love is a beautiful thing and no man despises having a loving woman in his life.
Christmas is around the corner and the commemoration is how our heavenly Father gifts us His Son – Jesus Christ for the salvation of humanity.
In addition, Bible urges us to be Christlike and one of His characters is benevolence.
If He did, we should do it especially in this season of love towards our earthly fathers as we have done for our mothers, sisters, girlfriends, etc., some day ago.
If your dad is a Nigerian or you have a friend whose dad is a Nigerian and or a father figure who is a Nigerian, you can think of blessing them with the following items:
1. Visit.
2. Perfumes/ Body sprays.
3. Rechargeable torchlight.
4. Ties.
5. A couple of Cufflinks.
6. Polo shirts/ shorts/ sewn clothes.
7. Wines
8. Wristwatches.
9. Shaving kits
10. Beloved club jersey.
11. Favorite Artiste’s CDs ( maybe old albums that you knew he loves listening to when you are growing up).
12. Writing materials.
13. Travel kits.
14. Finance a night out with long time buddies.
15. Money.
16. Sport kits.
17. MP3 player.
18. Cinema outings.
19. Sponsored honeymoon with his wife.
20. Cable TV subscription.
Remember that most of these fathers can afford these suggested gifts but it is not the price of the gifts that matter but the heart of the giver.
To accurately get the memo, ask his wife for suggestions on what he needs.
Thank you for day 10 of 2021 Blogmas themed miracle so extraordinary!
I love you and I really want to hear your suggestions in the comment section.
As the saying goes, ladies first, that was why I wrote about Christmas gift ideas for Nigerian Mums yesterday and following it today which is day 9 of Blogmas titled Christmas gifts for your Girlfriend.
Take note, you can also apply the suggestions to your wife, sisters, female co-workers, female friends, etc.
Now let’s start with reasons why your babe should get a gift this season
She has been there for you all through the year(s).
She is a gift of God to you and human race at large.
You have something to tell I love you to and that’s a huge privilege.
She will probably become your wife
And the mother of your children.
So why wait till she become wife and mother before appreciating LOML here and there, little by little?
and the best reason of all, she is a Christian.
Therefore, try and get any of these gifts for her during Christmas:
1. Credit Alerts ( your Nigerian girlfriend will love this 😄😃🥰💙).
2. Bags.
3. Shoes.
4. Pay for her salon appointment.
5. Clothing materials for sewing.
6. T-Shirt/Gown.
7. Data Recharge.
8. Refilling of Gas cylinder.
9. Jewelries like earrings, pendant, neck chains, etc.
10. Cream/ Body lotions.
11. Life-Enriching Books e.g., Every Woman, Confident Woman, Power of A praying Woman, etc.
12. Bible (preferably a different version to the one she currently uses.
13. Underwear and Undies (at advanced stage).
14. Sanitary Pads.
15. Perfume/Deodrant/Body Spray.
16. Online Course Payment.
17. Credit Recharge.
18. Photo Frame.
19. Skirts/ Trousers.
20. Body Spray.
21. All paid expense trip for vacation.
22. Spa session paid by you.
23. Faithfulness.
24. Meetup with her future mother-in-law.
25. Love 💙💙
I put love and faithful because I haven’t seen a girl who don’t like a lovely and faithful boyfriend.
To be candid, the list is inexhaustive. What I am aiming at is that something called gifts should come out of your pocket for the one you claimed you loved.
Thanks for your likes, comments and follows so far.
I will like to hear from your about appreciable gift for a girlfriend?
Fair day, my brothers and sisters all over the world.
Thank you for the likes, comments and the following. I am not taking them lightly.
Today is Blogmas day 6 and I will be taking about How to have fantastic Christmas.
How to enjoy the Yuletide.
These activities are the ones that entrenched brotherliness, complementation, love, giving, joy, patience and over worthy virtues.
Now, these are 5 fun-loving activities for you Christmas
1. Worship
Isn’t Christmas about celebrating Jesus Christ?
What’s celebration without worship?
Dear, celebrating Jesus is worshipping Him.
How do you worship?
Worship Him by striving to know Him more this season.
Worship by not forsaking the gathering of the brethren. Nothing is more joyful and fun-filled than being in the presence of God with fellow believers in singing, shouting and merry making.
Also worship Him by sharing your gifts to the less privileged.
2. Visitation.
Yes, visitation.
This time shouldn’t be about you and your immediate family alone. It is also a period to spread the love and essence of Christmas to those in
Hospital
Prison
Home for Aged.
Long seen friends or family member (s).
Struggling family
Etc.
I bet it with you, you will enjoy the moment of offering hope, joy, reconcilation and life to someone.
3. Picnic.
You have toiled all through the year, isn’t it?
I bet, it is.
Why don’t you pack some baskets of foods and fruits with your family to a beach, open lawn, forest camp, backyard, etc., just to relax and de-stress.
To make it memorable, why can’t you go with another like-minded individuals?
I assure you, you will enjoy the show.
4. Family photography.
Take family photographic album to see how far you have gone.
See how far you have progressed.
And after checking through, praise the Lord for both small and big wins.
Also make sure you visit a studio to take a family picture this Christmas.
5. Reflect and Pray.
Think about what Yahweh has done for you this year and pray the prayer of thanksgivings.
Also commit the incoming year into the Almighty hands.
Welcome to day 5 of 2021 Blogmas. I hope you are have a blast?
Today, I will be speaking on the topic why is Christmas also called Xmas?
Many Christians have alleged secular media of trying to erase Christ from Christmas by using Xmas instead of Christmas.
There is nothing farther from truth as nobody can remove Christ’s name from Christmas.
The truth is, Xmas is a common abbreviation of the word Christmas which originated as handwriting abbreviations.
The “X” comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Christós (Greek: Χριστός), which became Christ in English. The suffix -mas is from the Old English word for Mass which means celebration.
Its uses date back to 19th century.
So rest, it is still the same Christmas by writing Xmas but don’t pronounce it as ex-mas.
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