Merry Christmas and happy holidays
Today Christians throughout the world celebrate a special and unique occasion, the birthday of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth was forecast by prophets Micah and Isaiah seven centuries before the great and momentous event took place.
Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas in January which reminds me of the bygone days when I had the pleasure to celebrate Christmas day twice every season for a few years when I served at the Uganda Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is the main Christian denomination.
In most churches the processional hymn for today will most likely be one of my favourite Christmas carols whose first stanza goes: “While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground, the angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around.”
From childhood, that carol always puts me in the Christmas mood. Bethlehem, Judea where the heavenly baby was born is no longer green grassland it once was where shepherds roamed freely as I discovered in 1998 during a visit to Israel.
Bethlehem is today a dry desert except where irrigation has made it possible to grow crops or flowers. Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity is a permanent reminder of the glad tidings of great joy which angels brought to the world 2016 years ago!
In chapter 5 of his book, prophet Micah forecast that out of Bethlehem, one of the small towns of Judah, the Lord will bring a ruler for Israel who will bring peace.
Prophet Isaiah, who was a contemporary of Micah, forecast the birth of Jesus as follows: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)
In chapter 9:6 Isaiah writes: “For us a child is born, a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The gospels of Matthew and Luke also record the birth of Jesus as the fulfilment of what was prophesied 700 years before he was born.
At Christmas we remember with thanks the divine and life-changing message of hope and forgiveness and the free gift of eternal life which our Saviour Jesus Christ, the begotten Son of God, brought for humankind.
To paraphrase some Christmas carols, it is indeed a great and mighty wonder that Jesus Christ’s birth brought peace on earth, goodwill toward humankind and reconciliation between God and sinners.
Today we join the heavenly communion of angels and saints to celebrate and proclaim glory to God in the highest and to the new-born King.
Season to celebrate and be happy
The season to be happy and to rejoice is here again and I am sure many Ugandans and others from afar are looking for places to visit away from the usual destinations in order to experience something different, new and exotic.
May I suggest the West Nile region which borders DR Congo and South Sudan as the place where your dreams could become a reality. You can expect warm reception, beautiful scenery, good weather, delicious food at good prices, good music and above all friendly people.
These are some places to visit and stay at when you come to West Nile region: Pakwach; Nebbi Municipality; Okollo; Uleppi; Ajai Game Reserve which has the rare white Rhino; Rhino Camp; Arua Municipality; Terego; Maracha; Koboko Municipality; Yumbe; Moyo; Adjumani; Goli; Zombo and time permitting there are many other places one can visit.
For pilgrims and people who have a religious bent, don’t miss to visit one of the few minor Basilicas in Africa located at Lodonga situated between Koboko and Yumbe districts. I am advised that the Lodonga Minor Basilica is the first in sub-Saharan Africa.
After a long search, Uganda Tourism Board has finally released the category of hotels in Uganda. Altogether 33 hotels were classified into four categories. Only two hotels were classified in the 5-star category; eight in 4-star; eight in 3-star category and 15 hotels in 2-star category.
Of the 33 hotels listed in Uganda, only three are in the greater north, one in Gulu and two in Arua Municipality, namely the White Castle Hotel and the Golden Courts Hotel.
May I wish our esteemed readers and their families a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Mr Acemah is a political scientist, consultant and a retired career diplomat. [email protected]
