MERRY CHRISTMAS - JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

I always type out the title to each blog post first even before I know what to write. In a way the title helps the reader-writer part of me to get the cue to actually write. So you can imagine my shock when my nostalgia got the better part of me and came up with this title. For a wider and better context, today's title has always been the theme for the christmas season in my church back home and 3 years away is beginning to take its toll on me. I really just miss home and can't wait to go back to church. But before I digress MERRY Freaking CHRISTMAS

Did we not just start the year? Did I not just plan a soiree last christmas with Sue cooking up a storm that resulted in a very salty fried rice. Was it not just last christmas that I had the worst back aches and almost went to fix my spine. How time flies or how do they say it again because this time really flew. I am no longer bothered about how long grad school is again because I am sure the next year will go by fast enough. In my defence, the last two months was quite intense so it is no surprise it went by without me noticing. I had finals which I aced might I add and I had a lot of pre-christmas celebrations and outings. The old me found it so hard to make last minute plans but since I moved I have become so good at and it does help that this year most of the fun things I have done have been things I made up my mind to do last minute. I had planned to detty this December in my little way but got denied the opportunity. I am wary of the cold in my city and the borderline personality it has; it's almost like whiplash and hot flashes all at once. One minute its mind numbing and unbearable cold the next minute its sunny and there's still too much cold. There has even been a hard freeze warning in the last few days so where shall I go if not remain indoors lest I catch a bad cold and die of pneumonia. I am now enjoying the perks of staying at home and not worrying about school or work just eating and listening to the best music. I had the bright idea to braid my hair during the break and so I did just that the day before yesterday and yesterday. This it already too much about me and I get that going on and on about yourself sometimes can be a tell of being self absorbed which definitely I am not so now I will ask, How are you celebrating the holidays? Is the weather finer in your part of the world? Are you stuffing your face with as much food as I am? Are you spending the time with family and friends or are you all by yourself taking the time to reflect?

Paraphrasing a tweet I came across yesterday; I want to urge you to be kinder to yourself this period. Christmas is not the same for many people this year especially since we are all different and have fought different battles since the start of the year. It may be hard, sad, lonely, quiet, extra quiet, or gloomy. But just like the bible says in all things we are more than conquerors you should remember that Christ is the reason for the season and you are obsessively loved by him. You are here to start a new year because you have the biggest chance again to prove to yourself that greatness is just around the corner. I will not try to motivate or preach to you but I hope you get the drift. For me I am trying to do a little more for people in my small way just because kindness is so underrated in the world today and I am always going to emulate christ. This was meant to be a short merry christmas, pump-you-up and hope-you-get in-the-feels of christmas message and I hope to God I delivered. Merry Christmas once again and happy holidays.

Your favourite santagirl 🤶

Helen Damilola