Christmas in the City of Lagos

No celebration in this life is so stepped into tradition as is that of Christmas. While many of its customs - carol singing, the lightning of candle, the tree, and Santa Claus - originated in Europe, and families in America developed their own in the course of the years, the celebration of the yuletide in the African city of Lagos, Nigeria is also assuming its own special traditional significance.

Christmas period in the city of Lagos is for most a time of renewal as well as for relaxation. There is a critical almost strategic battle to gain attention during the season. On one right are the various churches inviting their own to come and spend the period in God's presence, whereas on the left are the other various social elements waiting to exploit the commercial value of the season. This dramatic twist is part and parcel of a Christmas experience in the city of Lagos. In the end, the significance of the season; it's spiritual and material essence; its omen as well as its beautiful incomparable gift of peace would be felt by all.

Nothing creates the mood of Christmas more quickly than singing the old familiar carols. These abound in the city whether it's from the radio or television or it's by a small house group, or from church choirs rehearsing for or rendering their yuletide special. A quick indicator that the celebration of Christmas is come is the coming of the Harmattan season. A first time visitor to the city is bound to get a lifelong holiday experience to share. Talk about music, cold weather, and side attractions, the city of Lagos offers virtually everything you'll need to have yourself either a merry or happy Christmas.

For one, the yuletide period is the only time of the years when you get to see the largest movement of families as well as the gathering of all the social elements. Organizations from all works of life usually organises retreat and parties to make the season a memorable and refreshing period for their own. In the city of Lagos where we have the largest concentration of churches in Nigeria, there are several material in prints, on radio and on television announcing the various programmes already put in place by these organization. The themes are usually centred on the need for believers to appreciate and appropriate God's gift of his only Son.

Since most family members outside of the city would be coming home to have a reunion, which makes food such an essential part of the Christmas season. The giving of food is an age-long gesture of love that is intended to nourish and sustain the spirit as well as the body. We all know and appreciate the delighted smiles and the surprised remarks whenever a homemade delicacy is unwrapped. While there is not unified type of meal for the season, the practice is according to the cultural affinity of individual and homes. There are fresh food item; fish, vegetable, peppers, meat, spices, and all you need in markets across the city to help you keep your promise as well as the tradition of cooking delicious Christmas meal.

There will be lots of events for individual, family and organisations. Children would be going to visit Santa Claus, families would be attending churches for retreats, visiting eateries to have fun, go dancing at the clubs, and involving in lots of other activities. The city of Lagos will wear a new look with the several Christmas decorations by all of these entities. The ivy, mistletoe, seers, velvet in the green and red colour of the season would return in full colour to adorn most of the private and public buildings. Decoration would emphasis the frontage as well as the reception area with lesser attention on the interiors. Decoration of the interiors would only be noticeable in homes; where Christmas greeting cards and trees with all its adornment would constitute the majority of decoration. Lest I forget, driving around the city would be without the usually traffic hold-ups. It's the best time of the year to have a taste of what the city's day or night life is without its notorious round-the-clock commercial activities.

The proximity of the city to the Atlantic Ocean is a benefits that residents often exploit to thrills their families and friends from the hinterland. And there are several beaches (open or secluded) that you could attend with your loved ones in Lagos. The Christmas time is a peak period and virtually most of these beaches would be bubbling with activities. There are other historical site and monuments that you could take time to discover in the city. One thing about Christmas in the city is that almost every contact with people is a wonderful excuse for an informal party. The Lagosians are a very liberal group and enjoys lots of social activities as noticeable both in their progenitors as well as in their occupations.

This year's Christmas in the city would be with a difference as many of the roads had been repaired or are under construction. The new governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), is committed to the vision of given the city a facelift. The Millennium project embarked upon by his predecessor Bola Tinubu is been pursued and the laudable results are obvious in improved infrastructures. As always, there would be several carnivals at this period of the year. Most of this are organised by neighbourhood youths either to mobilise fund and support for their community or to further build relationships. Participation in these carnivals is open to interested members of the public. Some of these communities often make a special dress (usually a T-shirt and face cap with inscribed name of their street or area) for their processions.

Despite the seasonal exodus of people outside of the city, the market would still be very busy with trading activities. Most of the shops and malls would open long hours to afford you and yours get the last few items needed to have a happy yuletide. Of course, there are connecting transportation means from one part of the city to another. More so, the city of Lagos boasted the highest concentration of the media element. With your radio and television tuned in to your choice station, with the availability of rich newspapers and magazines, or at the touch of your keyboard browsing online, you are never out of the goings-on in the world. You would also be enjoying to rich services of the major telecoms operator in Nigeria in addition to their yuletide promotional packages. What more could you probably asked for?

Wish you a merry Christmas.