Christmas to me
Is full of sweet songs and care-free carols
From jingling bells to far-away mangers
We ask Mary if she knew as we deck our halls with boughs
Everyone, even the bah-humbugging Scrooges and Christmas-stealing Grinches, knows at least one memorable tune
Songs made hundreds of years ago and their modern remixes fill the December skies
As radio stations and Spotify streamers pay homage to these great tunes
Some songs are full of holly and jolly
Reminding us to be merry and full of cheer
Others are more sober and soft
Calmly bidding us to slow down our busy lives and ponder on the season
Even if I could have forgotten what time of year it is, the songs always bring my memory back with joyous bursts
And this, is Christmas to me
Christmas to me
Is full of the aromas of good food cooking
From the Ghanaian Jollof and chicken
To the Western turkey and pudding
We may disagree on a lot of things,
But nothing brings people together like Christmas meals
Even when Mama calls me to come and cook in the kitchen,
I power through the steaming heat and angry onions
In anticipation of the ballad of flavours that would play on my tongue
The festive joy that will slowly slide down my throat
And calmly settle in my stomach, ready to make me content with its contents
Even the most common food is special during the season
Every seasoning adds a new little kick
To the finger-licking good meal
And this, is Christmas to me
Christmas to me
Is full of decorated shopping centres bidding us to buy trees and tinsel
When several hawkers peddle Santa hats inscribed with “Merry Christmas” and “Happy 2024”
And when most houses, buildings and roundabouts shine red, blue, yellow and green with their strings of lights
It’s one of the most colourful and bright seasons of the year
Almost every night sky bursts with spectacular fireworks that herald the coming new year
And some towns celebrate with parades of Santa Clauses of all shapes, sizes and colours
Even if your home takes its decorations down immediately after the 26th,
Or leaves them up until the next Easter,
The season is truly glorious and bright
And this, is Christmas to me
Christmas to me
Is full of memory lane-travelling and reminiscing thoughts
When people reflect on the events of the year
Remembering what was gained and who was lost.
We shed tears of joy and grieve with tears of nostalgia
We look forward to better things in the coming new year while being overcome with emotions about what took place in the past
Some mourn the deceased and some celebrate new life
But everyone feels something during the season
Even if we burst into tears when mourning,
Or let a few loose while praising the reason for the season,
It’s okay to acknowledge that this time makes us cry
And this, is Christmas to me
Christmas to me
Is full of anticipation towards the coming new year
When lists of resolutions start getting drafted
And character changes start getting planned
We plan, pray and prepare for a new beginning
Where we hope for better and brighter days
Where the sadness of the previous year turns into battle scars
And any losses become notches on our bedposts
To serve as reminders of where we came from and motivation for the journey ahead.
Even if we were broken and bruised,
Or had the best time of our lives,
We can always have faith that we will make it through whatever life throws at us
And this, is Christmas to me
It has been a wonderful five weeks journeying through what Christmas means to me. I hope you enjoyed it, and have a very Happy New Year!!
THE LAMBOLOGICAL SAPPHIRE
Gems from a Sapphire 