“Christ Over Consumerism: Why the Principles of Kwanzaa Reflect the True Teachings of Jesus”

Peace and blessings family,

December 26th marks the first day of Kwanzaa, and it is important that we slow down long enough to truly understand what this moment represents. The seven principles of Kwanzaa are not abstract ideas or seasonal slogans—they are a blueprint for life. When examined honestly, these principles align powerfully with the very teachings of Christ that many of us profess to follow. This is not a contradiction. It is a connection.

The Father of Kwanzaa, Dr. Maulana Karenga and his wife, Tiamoyo Karenga

We must first give proper honor to Dr. Maulana Karenga, who created Kwanzaa to address a real wound in the Black American experience. Through slavery, African people in the United States were stripped of culture, language, history, and identity. Kwanzaa was not created to replace anyone’s faith, nor to disrespect Christmas. It was created to restore culture, to provide structure, and to give Black families something of their own—rooted in African values, communal responsibility, and moral discipline.

When we study the life and mission of Jesus, we see Umoja—unity—in his insistence on loving one another and standing together. We see Kujichagulia—self-determination—in his refusal to let oppressive systems define who he was or what his mission would be. We see Ujima and Ujamaa—collective work, responsibility, and cooperative economics—in how he fed the people, healed the people, and taught them to care for one another rather than hoard for themselves. We see Nia—purpose—in his unwavering commitment to uplift the poor, correct injustice, and restore dignity.

We see Kuumba—creativity—in how he taught through parables that transformed hearts and minds. And we see Imani—faith—not as blind belief, but as trust in God expressed through righteous action.

Yet if we are honest, much of what Christmas has become today does not reflect these teachings. It has been reduced largely to consumer spending, false imagery, and economic pressure. Santa Claus, trees, lights, and gifts dominate the season, while the actual mission of Christ—family unification, moral accountability, justice, and service—is often absent. This is not an attack on Christmas; it is a critique of what Western culture has turned it into.

Kwanzaa, on the other hand, gives us seven days to slow down, reflect, and build. Each day represents a principle that is meant to be practiced all year long, not just observed once annually. These principles provide structure in a time when our families desperately need direction. They challenge us to move away from the belief that Westernized traditions are the only way to live, raise children, or define success. They invite us to embrace culture, heritage, and values that center responsibility, righteousness, and mutual respect.

What makes Kwanzaa powerful is not the candles or symbols alone—it is the call to action. Studying the principles is not enough. Talking about them is not enough. We must apply them in our homes, with our children, in our relationships, and in our economics. If we truly lived Umoja, our families would be stronger. If we practiced

Ujima, our communities would not collapse under neglect. If we embraced Nia, our young people would not be so easily distracted from their worth.

Today, more than ever, we are in need of a structure that is righteous, disciplined, and culturally grounded. A structure that teaches us to see value in one another, to work together, and to survive—not just individually, but collectively. Kwanzaa offers that framework. Christ’s teachings reinforce it. The responsibility now falls on us.

We can do this. But it requires study, humility, and commitment. It requires putting the principles into practice and passing them down intentionally. When we do that, Kwanzaa becomes more than a holiday—it becomes a way of life.

Peace.