Archbishop Olaoye’s Christmas message to the nation

Christmas is first and foremost about God’s love.  How much does God love us? Of course, God loves us so much that He gave us His most precious gift, Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son. That is the heart of Christmas.

Christmas should be seen as a time of peace and Thanksgiving to God in our homes, work places and the nation. It is an occasion when people ponder over the good things God has done for them.

Many people see Christmas as a time for celebrations and merry making. However, there is a stronger message from God for the season, and that is to reach out and show love to others. We should all be willing at this time to go the extra mile to love one another, so that, we too can manifest as sons of God and attract God’s favour.

Beyond merry making and other social and religious festivities associated with Christmas, the season should be a time to pause and reflect on life with a resolve to tow the path that secured us as humans, what makes for the peace, security and well-being of each and everyone. It is a time to renew our consciousness and do away with things that may bring self-destruction.

In our nation today, there is no peace. What we have is all-pervading insecurity that brings in its attendance kidnapping, armed robberies, unimaginable level of bribery and corruption, herdsmen and ritual killings. The lesson of history is that unchecked acts of indiscipline and recklessness and other social vices are pointers to the collapse of many nations of the world. To avoid this in our dear nation Nigeria, we must all rediscover our true humanity as created in God’s image and likeness.

Let those who are embezzling public funds, kidnapping people, killing and destroying lives and properties stop their wickedness and embrace love and peace.

Let us all eschew bitterness and forgive one another. Let us do away with the things that divide and destroy us as a nation. Let us all embrace the love and peace that Jesus Christ brought to mankind.

Finally, the year 2023, being an election year, let us all be determined to do what will enhance a peaceful, fair and free elections. Let us all avoid violence and not give room to anarchy. Let us all pray for the peace and prosperity of our country, and for our leaders to do what is just and right.

Things may seem more difficult than we are currently experiencing, but there is hope for a brighter and better tomorrow because God is in control of this nation. His gracious and wonderful plan for Nigeria will soon unfold.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men”

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.