The Catholic Pontiff says Christmas is usually a noisy party, but faithful could use a bit of silence, to hear the voice of love.
Pope Francis who stated this In his 2021 Christmas message, also used as many symbols as possible to give a pictorial representation of what Christmas is all about. He said “Christmas is YOU when you decide to be born again each day and let God into your soul.
“The Christmas pine is you when you resist vigorous winds and difficulties of life. The Christmas decorations are you when your virtues are colours that adorn your life. The Christmas bell is you, when you call, gather and seek to unite. You are also a Christmas light when you illuminate with your life the path of others with kindness, patience, joy and generosity. The Christmas angels are you when you sing to the world a message of peace, justice and love. The Christmas star is you when you lead someone to meet the Lord. You are also the wise man, when you give the best you have no matter who. Christmas music is you when you conquer the harmony within you. The Christmas gift is you when you are truly the friend and brother of every human being. The Christmas card is you when kindness is written in your hands. The Christmas greeting is you, when you forgive and reestablish peace, even when you suffer. The Christmas dinner is you when you gave bread and hope to the poor man who is by your side. You are, yes, the Christmas night, when humble and conscious, you receive in the silence of the night the Savior of the world without noise or great celebrations”.
Here in Nigeria, the Rector, Evangelical Church of Winning All, ECWA, Theological College Karu, FCT, Abuja, Reverend Solomon Elisha spoke on more lessons of Christmas in 2021 alongside the challenges of the COVID 19 pandemic with the new Omicron Variant amid the Yuletide season.
Christmas is a time that the church in Nigeria especially in Africa enjoy themselves by fellowshipping as a family… a period where they go to Church to praise God and to commemorate his birth.
Rev Elisha said “In fact comparing it to 2020 because of the COVID-19 that was so strong then, even though there is another variant is out in 2021, but it is like people are already used to the situation, so I’m not seeing it hindering that fellowship as it hindered it in 2020, it’s like a sort of freedom that I can see around and the desire to go and fellowship, though with care”
He further called on the Christians to carefully observe the COVID-19 protocols towards curtailing its spread. Speaking on the vaccine, he said “I will advise that those who have that strong opinion to take it, they should go and take it. Now if you are not able to take it yet, I will advise that you have to be extremely careful because where people come together, it is a great opportunity for the disease to spread, it’s very contagious.
Many countries globally are putting down measures to halt the spread of the Omicron Variant by imposing travel bans in this festive period.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation also gave more highlights on COVID-19and Vaccination. He said “Six million people in the last one and half years have died as a result of COVID-19 and we continue to see that changes that have happened since. For emphasis, COVID-19 is real and not a joke, and it will remain with us for a very long while if we do not take steps. We
We have had a succession number of Variants, but that are declared Variants of concern are the ones that you get to hear about.
Right now we are dealing we the Omicron.
Similarly, the nations government has issued guidelines after six months calling on people that have taken double shots to receive he followed by the Booster shot which is the third shot that will help enhance peoples immunity.
He urged all to take their double shots further emphasising that there is no shortage of vaccines in Nigeria.
Similarly, the Catholic Bishop of Abuja Archdiocese, Nigeria’s capital,
His Grace, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama, has called on Nigerians to stop, reflect and resolve as Prophet Micah urges in Chapter six verse eight, as well as resist the temptation of violence in the face of real or perceived problems, but rest in Jesus who is the reason for the season. His words
“Every Nigerian should stop, reflect and resolve as Prophet Micah urges, “to act justly, love tenderly, and walk-in humble fellowship with our God” (6:8), and with St. Francis of Assisi, we ask the Lord to make us instruments of peace. Where there is hatred in this country let us bring love, where there is injury, let us bring pardon, to achieve the much needed social transformation and progress for us all. Brothers and sisters, Jesus stands at the door and knocks. Let Jesus the Saviour in (cf. Rev. 3:20). He will take us to higher grounds and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed to us (cf. Is. 40:5). We shall emerge a better people, a better nation, bound in freedom, peace and unity. Let us not for any reason give up; it shall be well with our country Nigeria, it shall be well with our families; it shall be well with our youths, and we shall all flourish and blossom once again. We implore God to forgive us and to give us the grace to also forgive; to embrace and support one another. Our definition of a neighbour in Nigeria is often too parochial. Instead of being of one mind (cf. Phil. 2:2-3), we engage in bitter contention and vain glory. Are we surprised that there is conflict, violence, inhuman treatment, injustice, corruption and inequitable distribution of our God-given resources?
Archbishop Kaigama also cautioned Nigerians against turning Christmas into a carnival, a jamboree, a commercial opportunity, a routine cultural event or the vain display of wealth.
“The spirit of Christmas should inspire us to political, social, and religious peace; to beat our swords into ploughshares, spears into sickles, not to lift swords and knives or fire bullets at others, and not to continue to train for war. Rather, as Isaiah 11:6-9 says, the wolf will dwell with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the kid, the calf with the lion and the lion and the sheep will abide together, and will not harm or kill. Despite our cultural and religious differences, there is room for peaceful coexistence. We must remember the olden days when we shared gifts at Christmas to all; and at Sallah, we excitedly received gifts from Muslims. We must work harder to restore the fraternity and friendship that once characterized our relationship, now overgrown by distrust, suspicion, polarization, prejudices, etc.”
He, therefore, called on Nigerians to look in the mirror saying, that person you see is not blameless; work on him or her; and as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us not forget she who through her cooperation with God’s will, the incarnation became a reality. Many Christians forget that Mary was the instrument God used to give us Jesus. We must celebrate her too.
Nnenna.O
