* Says Yuletide season remains season of hope, peace, joy
The President, Christian Association of Nigeria & Co-Chairman, Nigeria Inter Religious Council (NIREC), Rev. Dr. Samson Ayokunle, has rejoiced with Christians in Nigeria and worldwide over the uniqueness of Christmas.
The CAN President also stated that the Yuletide season remains the season when God became man to live among us in order to redeem us from all our sins and eternal death.
A statement personally signed by Ayokunle and made available to Theideal on Thursday also quoted the CAN President as saying that, “My prayer is that nothing would steal from your joy of this season in the name of Jesus Christ. (John 1: 14)”
Asking Nigerians to keep hope alive in spite of challenges facing the country, Ayokunle said,
“Let us remember that the devil is a deceiver and what we are passing through presently in Nigeria might not be what would cause us to rejoice! Of course, what we are currently passing through may not give anybody hope of tomorrow humanly speaking unless those in power are more decisive and God intervenes for us.
“We are experiencing insecurity everywhere, most especially, the kidnapping, wanton killings and destructions of facilities here and there by the criminals in our midst, the insurgency in the northeast, the northwest and the north central of Nigeria, just to mention a few are terrible things of great concern.
“They do not give us joy at all humanly speaking. However, we need to remember that part of the purposes of the birth of Jesus Christ is to give hope to the hopeless and deliver us from sin and those who hate us. He came to set the captives free.”
On the birth of Jesus Christ, the CAN President cited a biblical passage to justify the importance of the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
He said, “The Bible says in 1Peter 1: 3-4 thus:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.”
”Peter’s letter really was to a people who were hopeless, otherwise, he wouldn’t have attached hope in Christ to his message.”
Regarding his message to all Nigerians, Ayokunle urged Nigerians to remain hopeful in Christ Jesus, saying that there is need to rejoice with the hope that in spite of what they are passing through, the Almighty God will take control and preserve them.
He said, “Our Father God can turn all situations around in Christ Jesus because as God, he can do all things. He is our Way-maker and he would make way for us in the name of Jesus.
“I urge you to receive Jesus as the Lord over your life today, share the message of the saving power of Jesus with others who do not know him and show love in a practical way to someone around you. Let us through the love of Christ embrace one another irrespective of religious, ethnic and political differences.
“Let us be reconciled to God and to one another. Let all the killings, the kidnapping of our fellow brothers and sisters and all other acts of wickedness stop because God is going to judge these acts on the day of judgement.
Calling on Nigerian leaders to put in place a dynamic leadership, Ayokunle said, “At this season of Christmas, I plead with those at the corridor of power to use it to bring relief and joy to the citizens of this country. It is the good you have done now that people would remember tomorrow. “Please, let us lessen the pains of Nigerians by paying more attention to their well-being in the prompt payment of workers salaries and pensions to the pensioners. Let all things be done to reduce the high cost of things in the market and let enabling environment be created for employment of our youths who are roaming the streets having no job.”
The CAN President also advised Nigerians to know that Covid-19 is real and urged them to tread carefully and observe the Covid-19 protocols.
He said, “I plead with all Nigerians not to let off their guards on Covid-19 protocols. The world has entered the fourth phase of the pandemic and it is spreading faster than other phases.
“ Please, wherever you go, especially in public places such as markets and churches, wear your masks and keep all the safety protocols.
“I pray that none of us would die untimely in the mighty name of Jesus.
“Once again, I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a happy and very prosperous New Year 2022 in Jesus’ name.”
