CAN National President, Rev. Daniel Okoh
Nigerians celebrating 2022 Christmas in uncertainty, fear – CAN, urges Christians to be hopeful
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) says Nigerians are celebrating the 2022 Christmas amidst uncertainty and fear, and also ‘in the face of a harsh economy, record inflation figures, security challenges,’ even as the group urged Christians to remain hopeful, as ‘God will not abandon the people.’
In his 2022 Christmas message released, Sunday, in Abuja, President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, called on Nigerians to remain hopeful as they celebrate Christmas, saying God has not forsaken the nation.
“The story of Christmas tells us of God’s loving intervention in the human situation of helplessness and hopelessness. Jesus is the promised Messiah, who fulfils God’s promise of eternal salvation and deliverance for His people at a time when they were neglected, exploited and oppressed by selfish and corrupt leaders (Isaiah 11:6-10).
“It is in this context that the significance and importance of the birth of Christ radiates brilliantly for us, as a people and a nation, because we are expecting the coming of a new leadership ordained by God to restore the fortunes of the country and ensure peace, justice and righteousness in the land.”
CAN further noted that Nigerians are celebrating the 2022 Christmas in Nigeria amidst uncertainty and fear, in the face of a harsh economy, record inflation figures, security challenges.
According to the CAN President, despite the challenges faced in the country, ‘the message of Christmas revealed that God will not abandon the people, rather, He will continue to intervene in the affairs of mankind through Jesus Christ, the Messiah He sent to save the world.’
He further urged Christians to resist the temptation to speak the language of despair and division over their lives and nation.
“Let the story of Christmas provide us with inspiration to speak the language of peace to our neighbours regardless of differences in religion, ethnicity or political leanings,” he said.
CAN also advised political leaders, especially those jostling for the opportunity to lead the country out of the woods in 2023, to “use this Christmas season to reflect on the words of the new-born Messiah who, when it was time to inaugurate His rescue mission in the world, expressed the consciousness that He was anointed to preach the good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, let the oppressed go free and proclaim the year of the Lords favour (Lk 4:18-19).”
According to him, they should be prepared to ensure justice by insisting that the resources and positions in governance are shared equitably among people of all regions and tribes.
“Equitable distribution of positions will help us to harness the abundance of potentials in our dear country for national development”, he added.
On the 2023 General Election, CAN further urged political actors to ‘realize that the forthcoming election is not a do-or-die affair.’
“Christmas is a reminder that God has not forsaken us. Therefore, we should pray to God to open our eyes to be able to discern and vote for those who will govern the nation with godly fear and devotion. Let those contesting for elective positions realize that the forthcoming election is not a do-or-die affair; rather, it is God who gives power to whoever he pleases. They should eschew violent conduct and toe the path of honour and peace as they campaign for votes.
“We should not allow fear of insecurity and violence cause us to stay away from voting during the 2023 general election. Let us remember that the spirit we have received from God through the coming of Christ into the world is not of fear but of power, and of love, and of sound mind (2 Tim 1:7). Religious and political leaders as well as the media should use this Christmas season to reinforce the hope of the masses in a better, more peaceful and secure Nigeria come 2023.”
CAN, therefore, prayed that the Yuletide season ‘becomes a period of strengthening ourselves and others; reminding one another that there is no difficult situation that the presence of Jesus cannot address.
The group further posited that ‘the prophecies of the birth of our Lord assures us His enduring presence which delivers from all troubles and will surely restore the dignity and joy of Nigeria.’
