CHRISTMAS: WORSHIPPERS DECRY RISING COST OF LIVING IN NIGERIA

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

Christians in Abakaliki Ebonyi State on Christmas day converged on various churches in the state to worship God in commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Delivering sermon at Sisters of Jesus The Good Shepherd Noviate Chapel Mile 50 Abakaliki, the officiating priest, the Reverend Father Mathew Okpoke, described Christ as the gift of God to mankind and charged Christians to emulate his peaceful dispositions.

Taking his sermon from the Gospel according to John, the Reverend Father Okpoke observed that the birth of Christ brought light to the world and had projected civilization in all aspects of human endeavour.

He enjoined Christians to see the celebration as a time to recommit themselves to the peace and unity of the country, admonished those who see Christmas as an opportunity to perpetrate evil to repent.

He urged them to deepen the gift of Christ to mankind through alms giving and living a life of charity.

One of the worshippers, Mr. Sebastian Eze, described Christmas as the most important celebration in Christendom, noting that the world would have been in serious bondage if not for the birth of Christ.

Two other worshippers, Mr. Raphael Nwovu and Miss Vera Alfred, said they were happy to celebrate in spite of the economic hardship experienced in the country.

They called on the government to do more in bringing down the cost of goods in the market to reduce the hardship people were passing through.