By Gbenga Davies
The Lagos State Christian Association Chairman Rt.Rev. Steven Adegbite during his goodwill message has admonished Nigerians to be joyful.
He also joined millions around the world to celebrate Christmas and proclaim the message of the season which is simply that God became man, came to dwell among us and that He is not distant from us at all because He is “Immanuel”, God-with-us.
This message is ever new, ever inspiring as it gives hope in the midst of our darkness, challenges, individual and corporate struggles and vicissitudes.
The message of Christmas is a reminder, that love is an essential ingredient and a key tool for peaceful communal coexistence and relationship with one another not minding creed, race, tribe, religious beliefs and other factors that are today promoting hatred, discord, disunity and self centeredness. The coming of Jesus Christ which we mark at this season is God’s way of reminding humankind of our pride of place which many of us seem to take for granted daily.
The essence of His coming is that we may be able to treat one another with love and compassion, care for those on society’s margins: the sick and the hungry, the poor and the persecuted, the stranger in need of shelter – or simply for us to show an act of kindness. This is the spirit that should bind us together – not just as Christians, but as people of all faiths. That is what this special season should be about: coming together as one family to celebrate our blessings and the values we hold dear. What however seem to be pervading our dear land is something that has left many devastated. Today, many are under the weight of hunger and quite a number of homes are in despair. We must then use this Christmas to locate and identify many who are heavily burdened and depressed and put smiles on their faces. We must wipe away their tears and ensure they are fed and their thirsts are quenched. That is what we are commanded and mandated to do.
As we celebrate at this season, let us remember our brave soldiers who on a daily basis lay down their lives in their enormous task of defending us from terrorists, bandits and evil men and women in different parts of the country. Every day, the brave men and women of our military serve to keep us safe – and so do their families. If you are opportune to identify their families, please let us reach out to them. As the world continues to grapple with the latest COVID-19 variant called OMICRON, I sincerely use this period that we celebrate the birth of Christ to urge all those who are yet to take their vaccinations to please do so without any further delay. It is a principle of love your neighbour as yourself. In loving your neighbour, protecting yourself from being a potential spreader of the virus is a responsible thing to do. Do not hesitate or delay in going for the vaccination so that we can reduce and gradually eradicate the spread and keep our world safe.
On this festal day may the Lord grant renewed hope to all those who lack employment, may he sustain the commitment of those with public responsibilities in political and economic life, that they may work to pursue the common good and to protect the dignity of every human life especially here in our country Nigeria. May the light of Christmas shine forth anew in our Land and inspire all of us to strive for a just and peaceful coexistence. May the comforting message of the coming of Immanuel ease the pain and bring consolation amid the trials of our fellow citizens whose loved ones have been kidnapped and cannot celebrate Christmas with them. May the birth of the Saviour strengthen the spirit of faith, patience and courage of the faithful of the Church especially in the North that they may not lose heart through the limitations imposed on their freedom of religion and conscience but, persevering in fidelity to Christ and his Church may keep alive the flame of hope. May the love of “God-with-us” grant perseverance to all those Christian communities enduring discrimination and persecution, and inspire political and religious leaders to be committed to full respect for the religious freedom of all.
I pray that this season will bring sustenance to the peace and prosperity in the State of Excellence, Lagos State and in the midst of this pandemic, the joy of the Lord will fill our hearts and minds and our worries and anxieties will be dispelled. Dear brothers and sisters, “the Word became flesh”; he came to dwell among us; he is Immanuel, the God who became close to us. Together let us contemplate this great mystery of love; let our hearts be filled with the light which shines in the stable of Bethlehem! To everyone, I say a Merry Christmas.
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