The Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has expressed optimism that the country will overcome its challenges and become stronger among the comity of nations.
Also, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Motailatu Church of God (MCG), Senior Superintendent Gabriel F. Akinadewo (Omo Jesu II), declared, on Sunday, that just like God surprised His people in II Kings 7, God will surprise Nigerians in 2023 to the extent that poverty will become history in the country.
Addressing the congregation in his Christmas message at the Cathedral Church of Advent, Life Camp, Abuja, Ndukuba said the birth of Jesus Christ brought hope to mankind.
He urged Nigerians not to be afraid of the challenges but look unto God who has promised to bring the country out of the present situation and liberate the citizens.
The Primate called on Nigerians to have faith in God and not to be afraid because the purpose of God for Nigeria would come to pass soon.
According to him, there is hope for Nigeria as the people are passing through what they are passing through as individuals, as families, as a people, and as a nation.
“At such a time as this, just as it was in the very first Christmas, when Jesus was born, the message of the Angel to the shepherds, who were like neglected people, oppressed and not regarded in the society.
“When God wanted to break the news of the birth of Jesus, they were the first people that God told what heaven has done, which means God has regard for everybody.
“God has regard for the people, especially the downtrodden, those that are oppressed and suffering, and those that have no regard, no class.”
The Primate, however, called on Christains to walk righreously for things to work in their favour.
“I am believing God that a good number of people in the world are passing through challenging times and things that make them worth feel worthless.
“But this Christmas, the message to us is, do not be afraid. Do not be overtaken by the things that you are confronting you.
“Look onto God, for our sake, Jesus was born, so that He will deliver us from the bondage of sin and death, giving us salvation and freedom.
“So that we will be indeed the people that God has intended and purpose for us,
“There is a purpose for God in the life of every individual, every family, and indeed, for Nigeria, and that the purpose shall surely come to pass.
“His purpose will come to pass in Nigeria because God has given us, His Son, Jesus Christ, the Saviour, born to us.
”So that we shall be delivered from the bondage of this world and be given hope and purpose to live the glory of God.
“As we celebrate Christmas, we encourage people to open up their hearts, that Jesus may be born in them, to open up their lives and surrender that life to the one who is the Lord our God.
”And if we will open up unto him, the purpose of God shall be fulfilled and the things that God wants to do in and through us, will be manifested,” he said.
Akinadewo
Akinadewo, while delivering Christmas sermon at the International Headquarters of Motailatu Church of God in Ondo City, Ondo State, declared that because there is nothing impossible for God to do, “He will do that which He alone can do in 2023”.
“If you read II Kings, Chapter seven, there was famine in the land. There was nothing for people to eat. People were frustrated just like many Nigerians are frustrated today.
“Then, God sent Prophet Elisha to them that a new beginning was coming soon. One of the oppressors in the land told Elisha it was not possible but God surprised His people.
“There are many oppressors in Nigeria today tormenting the people. They will be disappointed in 2023 as God is ready to liberate His people.
“The birth of Jesus Christ is a new beginning. That new beginning is coming in Nigeria in 2023″, Akinadewo assured.
The Christmas service was dominated by praises, worship, prayers and thanksgiving.
Meanwhile, the Anglican Communion, Diocese of Abakaliki, has called on Christian Faithful to acknowledge Jesus Christ as their saviour as they mark his birth.
The Bishop of the diocese, Rev. Monday Nkwoagu, gave the advice on Sunday in Abakaliki, during a church service to mark the Christmas celebration.
Nkwoagu said accepting Jesus as their personal Lord and saviour would lead faithful to positive way of life and better the society.
The Bishop noted that God sent Christ to lift man from ugly circumstances of life, urging Christians to mend their ways and be ready to live in peace and love.
He reminded Christians that the Christmas season calls for sober reflection, reunion with Christ and most importantly, living a holy and righteous life.
He cautioned those indulging in ungodly activities in the name of Christmas to have a rethink and change of attitude.
He urged them to reflect on the life they live and determine to follow Christ.
“I invite you to respond positively by accepting Christ as your personal Lord and saviour.
“As we celebrate his birth today, the key thing is to acknowledge Christ.
“The Lord is telling us that whatever is the situation in our country and the world, a saviour is born to save us from ugly circumstances,” Nkwoagu said.
He further advised the faithful to celebrate in a way that would glorify God.
Meanwhile, Jeremiah Okoye, the General Overseer and the Prophet of the City of Grace Royal Assembly Church, also urged Christians to avoid anything that would not glorify the name of God.
Okoye added that there is the need for people to have a better understanding about Christmas.
“Anything done to the contrary is a sin against God,” Okoye said.
The Methodist Archbishop of Enugu, Most Rev. Christopher Ede, expressed hope that a new Nigeria is possible, if Nigerians vote wisely in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
Ede said this in his Christmas message made available to newsmen on Sunday in Enugu.
He said that Nigerians were praying and looking forward to a nation where peace, justice and love would prevail.
According to him, there is need for Nigerians to keep hope alive as a new Nigeria is possible and coming.
Ede, who is also the Chairman, Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) Enugu State Chapter, urged Nigerians to remain hopeful in the face of myriad challenges in the country.
“I urge Nigerians not to lose hope in the face of present security and economic problems and remember that 2023 is critical to the survival of the country.
“I also admonish everyone to be ready to vote wisely and be prepared to defend their votes.
“We must re-engineer the destiny of our country to greatness once more,” he appealed.
Pastor Timothy Bakare, the Superintendent, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Ibukun Iloro Zonal Headquarters, urged Christians to emulate the life of Jesus Christ in love and perseverance.
Bakare gave the charge during the Christmas Service at the Church auditorium on Sunday in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
He said that for the birth of Jesus Christ to be meaningful, Christians must not deny Christ but should give room way for Christ in their hearts and entire lives.
According to him, the word of God must not depart from their mouth but they shall meditate therein day and night, that they shall make their way prosperous, then shall have good success.
The Superintendent admonished them to give their lives totally to the Lord by not compromising but by maintaining holy lives, so that the birth and death of Christ on the cross would not be in vain.
He reminded them of the task that Jesus gave to all Christians to preach the gospel, saying that their good behaviours could preach the gospel to everyone.
Bakare attributed the increase in the rate of crime in the society to failure to accept Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Saviour.
The Minister of God appealed to them to be humble as Jesus Christ humbled Himself when alive, adding that “there’s no gain in pride”.
“The merriment of Christmas should not be based on eating and drinking but to be assured of salvation, therein their reigning with Christ is guaranteed.”
The Youth Wing, Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), urged Christians to emulate Christ’s virtues of giving to humanity, especially the poor this yuletide.
The Chairman, YOWICAN, Enugu chapter, Mr Chekwube Ani, who made the call in a Christmas message on Sunday in Enugu, described Christmas as a season for expressing love through giving.
Ani, quoting a Biblical allusion said: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.
“Christmas is a time to commemorate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. The birth of Jesus on earth is a gift of God to mankind.
“Therefore, as we celebrate this Christmas, may we remember to demonstrate love through giving.
“Our gifts can be expressed by sharing material things, kind words, good memories, praying for one another and other responsibilities as bestowed to us in the catalogue of love”.
The chairman said that true Christians must represent the person they celebrate in all they do, adding “let us celebrate with all modesty while putting Christ at the centre.
“Let us use our positive attitudes to evangelise through our conversations and relationships with one another and even in our thoughts.
“The true message of Christmas should always be in our lips, in our hearts and should be guarded jealously.”
Ani reminded Christians not to be carried away by the wind of the season to forget that 2023, especially the general elections, held a lot for Nigerians.
“Therefore, Christians must take advantage of the yuletide to go and collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in readiness for the coming elections.
“We must be willing to exercise our civic responsibilities through voting, since our destinies would be made or marred through our active participation or apathy on electoral processes in 2023 general elections,” he said.
Rev. Fr. Godfrey Gopep, the Parish Priest of St Finberrs’ Catholic Church, Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State, advised Christians to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness during the Christmas season.
Gopep gave the advice in a Christmas message on Sunday in Jos, adding that the season calls for sober reflection and total forgiveness.
The cleric, who maintained that Christmas stood for purity and love, advised Christians to desist from harbouring grudges against others.
He also urged them to shun things that would hurt others and offend God.
”Christmas is a season of joy and as Christians, we are to do everything that will make us and others happy.
”But, we must not do anything that will offend God and cause harm to others.
”Most importantly, we must forgive those who offend us; we must shun all evils and stay holy at all times,” he advised.
Gopep, who particularly advised youths to shun all forms of vices and immoral acts during the celebrations, urged them to reflect towards more productive lifestyles.
The priest, however, advised Christians to support the needy in the society as a mark of love for others.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Oyo State urged governments at all levels and leaders to lead with the fear of God.
The chairman, Apostle Joshua Akinyemiju, gave the advice in his Christmas message in Ibadan.
Akinyemiju urged politicians and leaders to be God-fearing.
He charged them to always remember that there would be a day of reckoning when everyone would stand before the judgement throne of God as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:10 in the Holy Bible.
Corinthians 5:10 states that: “for we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.’’
Akinyemiju stated that: “leaders should be readily disposed to helping the less-privileged in their constituencies.
“Those in position of authority should take justice and fairness as their manta and watchword.
“They must ensure that the blood of their constituents is not shed because of their ambition.
“They should know that no one can receive anything except it be given him from heaven as stated in John 3:27 in the Holy Bible,’’ he added.
John 3:27 states that “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven”.
Akinyemiju stated that every politician must know that their personal relationship with God matters a lot in the course of realising their dreams.
“As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, may we begin to see the world in the light of the knowledge and understanding the Lord gave us in Jesus name,’’ he added.
According to him, Christmas is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ and symbolises the truth of spiritual life.
“At the time Jesus Christ came, the world was full of hatred, greed, ignorance and hypocrisy. Naturally, His birth transformed the lives of the people.
“He taught people the necessity of spirituality, holiness, devotion and how all these could change their lives for the better.
“Christmas shows us that a life full of knowledge and light can take over the darkness spread in all corners of the world.
“Christmas is a blessed time for all Christians to get together and celebrate the birth of God’s only begotten Son,’’ he also stated.
Christian families should pray together at Christmas; they should go to church, pray and worship God, he admonished.
“It is a season to show and share love among families, friends and neighbours, the entire Christian world should be filled with joy and gladness,’’ Akinyemiju stressed.
Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Mount Zion Cathedral, Bolumole, Ibadan, Pastor Sunday Oyewo, urged parishioners to emulate the culture of giving and Thanksgiving.
Oyewo made the call while delivering a sermon during the Christmas Service of the church.
Delivering a sermon on the “Perfect Gift’’, Oyewo urged Christians to emulate God Almighty who gave His only begotten son to redeem mankind.
“Our God is the perfect Giver as He demonstrated in John 3:16,’’ he said.
John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.’’
“He gave us the best gift in the person of His son, Jesus Christ.
“We are made in the image of God; we should emulate that attitude of giving, especially during the Christmas season,’’ Oyewo said.
According to him, man lost his worth in the Garden of Eden, but God, in His infinite mercy, redeemed mankind through the gift of Jesus.
Oyewo remarked that everyone who received Christ would enjoy at least five benefits: sufficiency and prosperity, success, fruitfulness, freedom from bondage and eternal glory.
He urged people to use the opportunity of Christmas to accept Jesus (God’s perfect gift) and remain in Him steadfastly.
“As you accept this perfect Gift and keep Him, all of those benefits and more will be your portion.
“More so, you will end gloriously and be able to see God and the Heroes of Old because Christ in a man is the hope of glory,’’ he stressed.
Oyewo thanked God for bringing the Church and country to the last Sunday in 2022 and prayed that He would grant the congregation the best blessing reserved for the end.
