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CHISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE, SALT N' LIGHT[/size]
written by:
Onyinye Oyedele
precious.words@yahoo.com
Ontario, Canada

Christmas is a special season for family reunions. People travel from far and near to share joy, laughter, and warmth with loved ones. Some family members certainly make a grand entrance and you know Christmas is not the same without them. As we count down to Christmas, with traveling plans and recipes in place, treasure this season and the laughter and joy that it holds.



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"Aunty Abuja" arrived in the village that afternoon on the 24th, with loaves of bread and crunchy chin chin. When the children ran to welcome her it was the soft and succulent bread that they held onto. Aunty Abuja's laughter was rapturous and infectious! Her arrival was the sound of "jingle bells." She was also the "Christmas chef," so with her catering expertise, it was going to be a mouth watering holiday. The journey from Abuja to the village was long and exhausting, so cooking delicacies would come later. That evening she was going to make a huge pot of Milo to go with the bread. The children sat down on benches with their "yanked" chunks of bread waiting for aunty to pour the beverage into their plastic cups with handles.

There was no "light" so things were moving "slowly". Candles and kerosene lamps accompanied her from her room to the make shift kitchen. The children waited and chatted, no one was in a hurry to go to bed. Nice and slow, yes that is Christmas in the village. Finally the Milo was ready and the children dipped their bread. Their tiny faces turned sour immediately, something was wrong. The bread melted on their tongue but also "slapped" it. Instead of sugar, aunty put salt! It was a mistake but her rapturous laughter saved the night, Ah, memories of Christmas in the village!

On Christmas morning, the 25th, we woke up to the smell of goats roasting. Aunty Abuja was "commanding" the cooking crew. The pot of stew cooked with firewood, had to be ready before we went to church. Oh my! Those huge pots of rice and stew, and basins of fried meat that would "disappear" before night fall. Oh yes, people trooping in and out after church to say, "Merry Christmas" and to tell long stories. Or rub your head and say how big you have grown! Well, for the children, the fun part was wearing the Christmas dress and shoe, and the latest hairstyle! If you came from the "city" it was a time to show off your dress to the village people! Your dress was the gift you unwrapped, in fact, it was not wrapped…you knew it was in your mother's box! Christmas in the village was simple and ordinary. You are just happy to be with family, throw some "bisco" and run away from knock out and banga! But wherever you find yourself this season, enjoy the moment.

Finally, Christmas is the season of lights. Malls, department stores and government houses have special Christmas tree lighting ceremonies. Rooftops, lawns and doorways are shining like twinkle twinkle little stars! In fact, decorating for Christmas is a silent competition of lights. It is a beautiful sight to behold and it certainly affirms the truth that "light" is attractive. Christmas is not only a season of lights. It also brings hope and joy. As you light up your home and surrounding this season, let Jesus light up your path so that you can be like "salt", adding flavour to the lives of people around you. With His light in your heart, you can step into the New Year with a sense of direction.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!