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Joy to the world! the Lord
is come!
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred
Adewale Martins has called on all Nigerians to celebrate the joy of Christmas
and the birth of Jesus Christ, despite the insecurity and economic challenges
in our country.
In his 2021 Christmas message titled, ‘Joy to the
world, the Lord is come’, signed by the Director of Social Communications,
Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, Archbishop Martins also encouraged all citizens to be
grateful to God for the gift of life, and for the grace of surviving the
numerous security challenges that have arisen in the outgoing year.
“Being alive to witness yet another Christmas is a
great gift from God that should never be taken for granted particularly in our
present realities. We know that thousands who started this year with us are no
longer here; having fallen victim to the endemic insecurity in the land caused
by kidnappers, bandits, Boko Haram terrorists, COVID-19, amongst others. Having
come thus far, we must remain thankful and hopeful that the good Lord will
sustain us to the end of this year and beyond.”
While calling on all Nigerians, irrespective of their
religious and tribal inclinations, to learn to live in peace, love and unity as
exemplified by the life of Jesus Christ, he equally urged them to put aside
their fears and open their minds and hearts to the beautiful message of the
season.
“The message of Christmas is a message of hope for
everyone. The message that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to
redeem us and show us the way to the Father in heaven, should raise our hope
that all is not lost despite all our problems” he said. God cares and is in
control even if it is difficult to see.
The Archbishop also charged all Nigerians to offer all
that is within their power in order to bring joy to people especially those in
a state of despair. This should be the desire of everyone not only in this
season but all the time. He said:
“We must be generous to the less-privileged in our
midst through our kind words of affirmation and offering the support that we
can as our proclamation of the joyous tidings that 'God is with us.' By so
doing, we will, in no small measure, help to dampen the wave of violence and
hunger in our land, awaken hope in the hopeless, give water of life to the
thirsty and food to the hungry as well as joy to those in distress. These are
what God expects from us during this yuletide and beyond.”
Finally, the Prelate enjoined the Federal Government to redouble efforts in stemming the tide of insecurity in the country, particularly during the yuletide and New Year celebrations. In the midst of insecurity and anxiety due to the killings, kidnappings etc, people must be able to see hope in the actions and policies of their governments.
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