Christian faithful in Nigeria will today join their counterparts all over the world to mark this year’s commemoration of the birth of their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. This has been on for more than 2,000 years.
Born in a manger in Bethlehem of Judea, history books and the Holy Bible recorded the story of the “Man” that came into this world during the reign of the Jewish King Herod and died during the reign of King Pontius Pilate. His mission was to reunite man with his Maker.
As it is universally acknowledged, many non-Christians now partake in the celebration for strictly mercantile reasons. But not all Christians mark Christmas, with some arguing that Jesus did not institute festivals, holidays or celebrations. Nonetheless, one word – love – may be said to sum up all that He stands for and taught: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbour as yourself. Loving one’s neighbour is, therefore, holier in the sight of God than merely attending church services, revivals, crusades, vigils and other activities.
Today, however, Christianity is more of business and church attendance, a sacrilegious opportunity to flaunt glittering automobiles, expensive clothes and other material successes. This is the product of the “prosperity” preaching with which pastors, prophets, general overseers, who were not called or who have missed it, mislead their congregations. How then can the poor faithful experience the presence of God in their hearts in the midst of this show of affluence that does not trickle down to them?
This year’s celebration, the first in the life of the Bola Tinubu administration, will go down in history as a Christmas like no other. The federal government took away one of the burdens of Nigerians by subsidising the transportation fares with selected public and private firms as well as offering free train services for the period of the celebration and the New Year. In the previous years, travelling for the occasion was an ordeal for celebrants arising from high costs of transportation. We commend President Tinubu for this unprecedented gesture. It represents a silver lining in the nation’s dark cloud.
In his message on the occasion, President Tinubu enjoined Nigerians to look out for one another because amidst the festivities, this time of the year for many would be tinged with sadness, with some mourning the loss of their loved ones and others grieving their hopes that failed to materialise and their dreams that fell short.
He said, “In the spirit of Christmas, reflecting the best of Christ, let us all endeavour to extend the warm embrace of kindness to those around us who need it and let the multiple acts of kindness serve as a light that guides us into a happy and wonderful New Year.
“This year has been a time of transformation and relentless change in our country. And I am aware that the necessary reforms we are implementing to achieve a more prosperous and peaceful nation for all have imposed unique sacrifices.”
He assured Nigerians of his administration’s continued implementation of palliative measures to ease the burden on the most vulnerable, address current hardships and alleviate the suffering of the generality of Nigerians.
While Blueprint wishes (genuine) worshippers of God the best of the season, we must state here that Christmas Day should not be a day for exhibiting gluttony, merriment, ostentation and other ungodly attitudes. Jesus was simplicity personified. He taught that “a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions,” and that Christians should not bother about what to eat, drink or wear tomorrow. He told them to “let the problem of each day be sufficient for that day.”
He also preached love, peace and hope to the world. He spoke against every evil, including greed, selfishness, hatred, intolerance, hypocrisy, corruption and oppression.
However, present-day preachers and teachers have overturned His teaching and regulations meant to make Christians live stress-free lives, hence all the atrocities being committed daily in their quest to “make it” and prove that God has blessed them.
For whatever it is worth, we appeal to pastors, preachers, general overseers and ordinary Christians to go back to their book – the Holy Bible – which cannot mislead them when truly followed. Christ’s sermon, as recorded in the Scriptures, is still relevant today as it was over 20 centuries ago, especially in a nation like Nigeria that harbours many churches and many criminal gangs, many worshippers as well as many sinners, and insensitive leaders preaching peace and love but unable to guarantee same.
Nevertheless, we pray that Nigerians still find the peace and joy that Christmas brings even as they celebrate the festival amidst the prevailing economic realities.
Merry Christmas to all our Christian brothers and sisters!
