Christians worldwide have been urged to renew their hope, commitment, and faith in Jesus Christ during Christmas.
This call was made by the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Most Reverend Dr. Ignatius Kaigama, during an interview on Voice of Nigeria’s flagship program, “In The News.”
In his 2024 Christmas message, Archbishop Kaigama emphasized that Christmas is a season of hope and a time to reaffirm the belief that “Jesus is Lord” and that His presence symbolises God’s enduring love for humanity.
He encouraged Christians to remain steadfast in their faith despite the challenges and evils in the world.
“Christmas is a yearly event that we anticipate with great expectation. It reminds us that Jesus, whose name means Emmanuel—’God is with us’—is always with us, bringing good tidings and salvation.
“No matter the struggles, we must never give up. Jesus is the bringer of hope and goodness, and His presence ensures that the journey of life continues with purpose,” he said.
True Essence of Christmas
Archbishop Kaigama also expressed concern over the growing secularisation of Christmas, which he said often reduces the celebration to materialism and merrymaking.
He stressed that the true essence of Christmas lies in acknowledging God’s presence and placing Him at the center of one’s life.
“The heart of Christmas is Jesus. It’s about recognising the presence of God in our lives and giving Him the primary position in everything we do. When we lose sight of this and prioritise material celebrations, we forget the true meaning of the season,” he noted.
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He further warned against the “intoxication of knowledge and material wealth,” which can lead people to question or even deny God’s existence.
“In humble submission, we should kneel before God to express gratitude and seek His guidance. All the wealth, power, and knowledge we acquire are nothing compared to God’s omnipotence.”
Defending the Celebration of Christmas
Addressing critics who question the celebration of Christmas due to its absence in biblical texts, Archbishop Kaigama dismissed such arguments as “short-sighted and illogical.”
He explained that the tradition of Christmas predates the Bible’s compilation and was guided by the Holy Spirit through the Church.
“Not everything Jesus did or said was written in the Bible, as stated in Scripture itself. The Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, established the tradition of celebrating Christmas. This argument against it reflects a shallow understanding of biblical and historical context,” he asserted.
Kaigama also rebuked those who interpret the Bible solely in a literal sense, urging a more comprehensive approach to understanding its teachings.
Moral Renewal
The Archbishop highlighted the moral decay in contemporary society, where greed and selfishness often overshadow faith and integrity. He criticised the rationalisation of sin, pointing to corruption, dishonesty, and hypocrisy as pressing issues.
“There is a disconnect between faith and practice. Even in places of worship, we see behaviours that contradict spiritual values. Christmas is a time to reconnect faith with practice and to embody the love, forgiveness, and honesty that Jesus teaches,” he said.
He urged Nigerians of all faiths to translate their religious values into daily actions, emphasising that integrity and morality are essential for societal transformation.
“If we truly lived out the good values of Christianity and Islam, Nigeria could become a haven of peace and prosperity,” he concluded.
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