CHRISTMAS: CLERGYMEN PREACH PEACE, UNITY AND LOVE, CAUTION AGAINST WORLDLY CELEBRATION

The Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, the Most Reverend Callistus Onaga wants Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of love and peace for the unity and progress of the nation.
The Most Reverend Onaga, who made this known in a Christmas message, called on political leaders and the citizenry to shun all forms of evil practices.
The Most Reverend Callistus Onaga while describing Christmas as a season of joy, stressed the need for Nigerians to extend the joyous moments to the needy in the society by putting smiles on their faces, especially through alms giving.
Also, the Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Most Reverend Emmanuel Chukwuma has advised Nigerians to shun violence, blood-shed, hatred, religious bigotry and ethnic division and embrace peace at all times for the progress of the country.
In his Christmas Message, Archbishop Chukwuma reminded Christians that Christmas was the celebration of the gift of peace and love as symbolized by Jesus Christ.
He called on politicians to shun corruptions and always make the welfare of the people a priority in their programmes.
The Most Reverend Chukwuma while condemning the economic hardship and poverty in the country called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in prayers for the country to overcome the challenges facing it.
Speaking on the significance of the celebration, another Anglican high priest and Bishop of Eha –Amufu Diocese, the Right Reverend Daniel Nkemjika Olinya, expressed unhappiness that the essence of Christmas had been diverted to worldly things and reduced to a mere merry making season by many.

Bishop Olinye advised people, who make a mess of Christmas celebration, to have a change of mind and celebrate it wisely.

Similarly, the Archbishop of Enugu Methodist Church Nigeria, the Most Reverend Christopher Ede has urged Christians not to lose focus on the meaning of Christmas as they celebrate the season.
Archbishop Edeh, who stated this in a Christmas message, encouraged believers to keep faith with God in every situation.
He called on Christians to imbibe the virtues of Jesus Christ, including peace, love and hope.
In a related message, the General Superintendent Assemblies of God Nigeria, the Reverend Chidi Okoroafor has called on Nigerian leaders to follow the examples of Jesus Christ and identify themselves with the people.
The Reverend Okoroafor, who made the call while speaking on the significance of Christmas, advised the leaders to live for the good of the led.
According to the Reverend Okorofar, the significance of Christmas is that God left the glory of heaven and came down to save mankind.
Christmas is celebrated on December 25 every year.

This annual Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ is observed primarily as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world.

During this period, most people in Nigeria and other parts of the world, travel to various places, especially to the hinterland to celebrate with their kith and kin.

NWAMAKA NZEADU, CHRISTIAN NWANGENE, JULIET UGWU, ESTHER OGBU AND UCHE NDUKWE