The president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr. Samson Ayokunle has expressed confidence that there is hope for tomorrow even as he noted that Christmas is a glorious reality.
In a Christmas message made available to Church Times, Ayokunle said the season is a time of joy.
He said, “Christmas is not a myth, not a tradition, not a dream. It is a glorious reality. It is a time of joy. Bethlehem’s manger became the link that binds a lost world to a loving God. From the manger came the Saviour who did not only teach us a new way of life but brought us into a new relationship with our God.”
According to him, “Christmas means God is interested in the affairs of people, that God loves us so much that He willingly gave us His only begotten Son in order for us to become His children. To us, as Christians, the joy of Christmas is not limited to His birth. It is built even more on the triumph of His death and resurrection- that gave meaning to His birth”
He noted that the mysterious spirit of generosity which possesses us at Christmas is the afterglow of Calvary.
The fact of the cross according to him, “illuminates Christmas day and hallows it.”
He said further that, “Christmas is also a season to advocate peace in the world that is full of wars, strives, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and other criminalities. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and”
“He came to give us peace. To preach good tidings unto the meek; to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to give to us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that we might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”
While expressing regret that many people are mourning due to the demise of their loved ones as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, terrorism, kidnappings, and other criminalities he said, “We should remember that Jesus was also born during the darkest time in Israel’s history. Israel was under the tyrannical rule of the Romans. Yet the Angel announced the birth of Jesus as the glad tidings to the world.”
He then urged those who are mourning to rejoice in hope that they too are still alive. “I pray for the comfort of the Holy Spirit for all those who lost their loved ones for one reason or the other. May the birth of the Saviour mark the end of coronavirus and every evil in our land. May it herald a new season of prosperity, full recovery and great joy in the name of Jesus”
Ayokunle also prayed that “the Lord help our governments to rise up competently and stop the menace of insecurity occasioned by the terrorists, killer herdsmen, bandits and kidnappers in Jesus’ name. The year 2020 will be the last year of COVID-19 globally in Jesus’ Name.”
The CAN president also urged Nigerians to be security conscious and observe the COVID-19 protocols in places of worship or in any public gathering while also wishing all Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a happy new year ahead.