As Christmas bells chime across Nigeria, a prominent cleric is making a powerful appeal: let love be the guiding principle this festive season. Pastor Kayode Aliyu of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church in Abuja is calling on all Nigerians to embrace love, irrespective of their religious or ethnic backgrounds. This message, delivered during the church’s Nine Lessons and Christmas Carol Service, emphasizes that love is the greatest gift, echoing the very essence of Christmas.
Key Takeaways:
- A cleric urges Nigerians to show love.
- Love transcends religious and ethnic boundaries.
- The greatest gift is love, emulating God’s love.
- Women are encouraged to spread love.
- Kind words and gestures matter.
The Core of Christmas: Love
Pastor Aliyu, in his sermon titled ‘The Greatest Gift,’ highlighted the profound love of God as the central theme of Christmas. He referenced the Bible, stating that God’s love for the world was so immense that he gave his only son. This act of giving, according to the pastor, is the ultimate expression of love. But what does this mean for us?
“We are looking at the love of God expressed at Christmas. John 3:16 says, ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son’,” Aliyu stated, emphasizing that God’s love is not transactional but seeks a relationship of father and child. This message is powerful for Nigerians and people everywhere, especially during a time where division sometimes seems to be the norm.
Loving Your Neighbor: A Divine Commandment
Pastor Aliyu didn’t just stop at talking about God’s love. He also emphasized the importance of loving one’s neighbor as oneself. “Jesus Christ gave us two instructions: love your God with everything you have, and love your neighbors as yourself,” he explained. The pastor went further, making a powerful statement that if you do not love your neighbor, you cannot truly love God. This call to action is a challenge to Nigerians this Christmas to open their hearts to everyone around them, and not just those of their religion or ethnicity.
Women as Agents of Love
Adding another dimension to the message of love, Pastor Ibijoke Ogundipe, wife of the church’s Senior Pastor, called on women to take a leading role in sharing love within their communities. She described women as the “bedrock of society,” urging them to gather people together and spread love. This, she believes, will foster progress for the entire nation. It’s a message that recognizes the important role women play in building a loving and united community.
Beyond Material Gifts: The Power of Kindness
Apostle Seun Sodipe, Secretary of the Carol Steering Committee, further elaborated on the kind of love we should strive for. He stated that blessings from God are not limited to financial or material gifts. They also include kind words and gestures. “We never know what the next person is going through. A kind word or gesture can go a long way in making someone feel loved,” he explained. This is a reminder that small acts of kindness can have a profound impact, making a huge difference in peoples’ lives.
A Call to Action for all Nigerians
The Christmas Carol service also featured Christmas songs by the Peculiar Choir and children’s choir, and prayers were offered for the church, Nigeria, and its leaders. This shows the holistic nature of their Christmas message: love isn’t just a personal experience, but something that should be reflected in every aspect of our society. In essence, this year’s Christmas message transcends religious lines, advocating for unity, compassion, and love as the cornerstone for a better Nigeria.
