The People ­ Wednesday
Date: 23.12.2015
Page 11
Article size: 131 cm2
ColumnCM: 29.11
AVE: 36738.22
Muslims' brave act embodied spirit of selfless giving
Crass commercialism has engulfed the
Cliristmas season so much so that people
have forgotten its original purpose. Christ­
mas in Kenya is not Christmas unless it is
defined within the parameters of chicken,
new clothes, and endless partying.
The giving that is mentioned in tliis most
of famous Bible verse is the giving that is
true, the giving that comes from the heart.
Sadly, we have forgotten the giving that
is unselfish. The giving that does not expect
anything back. We need to remind our­
The sacredness of this holiday has been selves to be charitable.
In a nation where 46 per cent live below
Christmas actually go back to something the poverty line, we have the best reason
that is the complete opposite ofallthiscon­ to be philanthropic. In fact because of the
sumerism. Christmas is about giving not desperate poverty that is all around us we
taking. At least, if we are still talking about should be joined together at the hip in giv­
the Christmas of 2,000 years ago where a ing to each other.
certain baby lay on a manger.
Brave Muslims
Giving gifts is not wrong. One might ar­
The problems of corruption inKenya are
gue it is the hallmark of Christmas. In fact,
when the wise men came to see the baby really about a culture that is all about taking.
We take for ourselves things that we don't
Jesus, they bought gold, frankincense and even really need. Personally, sometimes it
myrrh. Giving was there at the first Christ­ is difficult to remember as a down on luck
mas. Jesus himself was a gift to the world: student that God knows what is wrong with
"For Go d so loved the world that he gave his me. He knows poverty, not just because he
lost in the midst of all the fun. The roots of
only begotten son."
because the Christ child himself came here
arrived on planet earth, and his first place
of rest was a stable. The gospel was first de­
livered to shepherds out in the fields. Jesus
wasbominto afamily ofpoverty.
As Christians we think highly of our­
selves. We forget that there are others who
are capable of showing hearts full of mercy.
After all we are human beings. I was heart­
ened to hear of the brave Muslims who
shielded their Christian brethren from the
A1 Shabaab. Ironically, these Muslims could
be said to have embodied the true spirit of
Christianity. They were ready to give the ul­
timate sacrifice." Greater love hath a man
than this, that a man lay down his life for his
friends."
This Christmas season let's remember
to be givers not takers. Merry Christmas to
everyone.
—The writer is a Master's of Public Af­
is omniscient. He knows this poverty but fairs student at Park University, Kansas
City USA. —[email protected].
Ipsos Kenya ­ Acorn House,97 James Gichuru Road ­ Lavington ­ Nairobi ­ Kenya