Christians Encouraged to Cast Burdens on Christ Amid Challenges

In a message of hope and resilience, the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Reverend Israel Adelaide Akanji, urged Christians to entrust all their burdens to Jesus Christ, regardless of the difficulties they face.

Reverend Akanji’s call came during the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols 2024, an annual event organised by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), and Voice of Nigeria (VON), held in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

In his address, Reverend Akanji highlighted the victory God has granted Christians through Jesus Christ, overcoming sin, defeating death, and triumphing over the works of the devil.

“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God but Jesus gave us victory over sin’,” he said.

He urged believers to hold steadfastly to their faith and trust in Christ as their source of strength and redemption.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, represented by the Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Malam Jibrin Baba-Ndace, encouraged Nigerians to always live in unity and tolerance with one another.

‘’Our strength as a nation lies in our diversity which encompasses various ethnicities, languages, and religions. However, this strength can only be realised when we embrace tolerance and mutual respect. Intolerance and division have, at times, threatened our unity, but we must not allow these challenges to define us,” the minister said.

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Mr Idris also reiterates the importance of the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols

“This annual event has special relevance in our nation, not just for its spiritual significance but for the values it represents, such as hope, unity, and peace, which are principles that resonate deeply within our shared journey as Nigerians.

“Tonight, as we listen to the lessons of the scripture and raise our voices in carols, we celebrate the timeless story of Christmas. This story, which recounts the birth of Jesus Christ, is one of divine love and redemption. It also speaks to humanity and our shared yearning for peace and goodwill.

“The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols provides a sacred moment for us to reflect on the state of our nation and recommit ourselves to the ideals of mutual respect, tolerance, and unity. These lessons are not just Christian virtues; they are universal principles that bind all of humanity together,” he said.

The Minister reiterated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to fostering policies that promote interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence.

“We rely on our media platforms to partner with us in this mission by continuing to spotlight stories that celebrate our shared humanity and the many instances where Nigerians of different faiths live and work together in peace,” he stated.

There were captivating musical performances by the Nigerian Children Voices, the Eagles Music Academy, and choirs from NTA, FRCN, and the VON choir.

The theme of the 2024 Service of Nine Lessons and Carols was “Jesus, Our Victory,” taken from the book of 1 Corinthians 15:57.