Christmas: CAN, PFN urge Nigerians to demonstrate love, shun hatred

The Oyo State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Mr Joshua Akinyemiju, has urged Nigerians to use the occasion of this year’s Christmas to demonstrate love to one another.

He made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Ibadan.

He said love would outrightly shun all forms of hatred that could trigger strife in the yuletide, stressing that “Christmas should be a season of reconciliation with God and one another.

“It is a period to show love and care for one another; we shouldn’t hate ourselves and say we love God.”

He urged Christians to comply with the COVID-19 safety guidelines as another form of obedience to the authority, adding that “we
should understand that the face mask is far better than the ventilator and prevention is better than cure; it is our individual responsibility to stay alive.

“Security of lives and property of citizens right now is at its lowest ebb, so, government at all levels should do more on security, no place is safe.

“Emphasis should be on intelligence gathering and adequate equipping of security agencies.”

The Oyo CAN boss also advised Christians to constantly appreciate God and be thankful for His mercy, provision and preservation of lives.

He said “whatever we can do to keep safe and be alive should be done with joy, no one should lose his or her life as a result of disobedience or negligence.”

According to him, Christmas is celebrated in commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, which is synonymous with love.

“It is celebrated to acknowledge the love of God to mankind, no other man or person has ever or will give out his only begotten Son for the sin of others,” he said.

Also, the Chairman, Oyo State Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Samson Ajetomobi, urged Nigerians to live peaceably, demonstrate kindness and forgiveness to one another.

He said “let those who govern, govern with the fear of God, let the Church be involved in nation building and the fight against injustice.

“As we celebrate, may we carry His presence in changing the lives of the poor, helping the confused and demonstrate the real definition of the essence of Christmas.

“We should be involved in governmental decisions and policies in crying against falsehood,” he said.

The Oyo State PFN boss said Christmas should be a time of joy to remember the goodwill God extended to humanity and the impacts of the birth of Jesus Christ to mankind.

Ajetomobi added that “of all the noble festivities globally, none is as unique as Christmas.

“It is beyond the wearing of new clothes and shoes, Jesus’s purpose is to deliver us from the power of sin and He fulfilled that intent of God to save us.

“We should not close the year with bitterness but offer forgiveness and mercy to those who offended us, just as Jesus showed us mercy.

“Let us treat people with equity, justice and live right and demonstrate the fear of God.

NAN reports that Christmas is an annual festival when Christians globally celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Dec. 25.