Anglican clergy have urged Nigerians to embrace love, peace and reconciliation, describing the Christmas season as a crucial period for healing, forgiveness and renewed hope for the nation.
Delivering a Christmas message during a special service at All Saints Anglican Church, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, the Vicar, Venerable Ernest Onohua, said the celebration of Christmas in 2025 serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness to humanity through the gift of Jesus Christ, whom he described as the Saviour of the world and the Prince of Peace.
“We thank God for another Christmas season. God has been kind and faithful to us by giving us His only Son,” Venerable Onohua said. He noted that without the coming of Christ, humanity would have remained without hope, explaining that while the first Adam fell in the Garden of Eden, Jesus Christ, the second Adam, restored mankind through love and peace.
The cleric challenged Christians to reflect the character of Christ in their daily lives, particularly by resolving conflicts and living in peace with one another.
According to him, Christmas is a time to settle differences, forgive offences and demonstrate genuine love, as taught in the Scriptures.“God is love, and those who follow Him must live in love.
We pray that it shall be well with us and with our nation as we prepare for the coming year,” he added.
Also speaking at the service, Venerable Emmanuel Okorafo of the Diocese of Anglican Missionary Congregations (AMC), Europe, stressed the need for believers to keep Christ at the centre of Christmas celebrations, warning against reducing the season to mere social festivities.
He described Christmas as a season of reflection, forgiveness and reconciliation, urging Christians to renew their commitment to peaceful living.“Christ is the King of peace and the embodiment of God’s love.
This is a time to forgive, make amends and enter the new year with a clean slate so that God’s blessings can abound,” Venerable Okorafo said.Worshippers at the service expressed gratitude and joy over the celebration.
A member of the congregation, Mr. Rogers, thanked God for life and good health, noting that the well-being of his family remained his greatest joy this Christmas..
The service concluded with prayers for peace, unity and progress in Nigeria, as congregants looked ahead to the new year with faith, gratitude and renewed commitment to love and peaceful coexistence.
A major highlight of the celebration was a special rendition of the popular Christmas hymn “Oh Holy Night” by Venerable Okorafo, which drew cheers and admiration from the congregation for his vocal mastery and delivery.
Reporting by Muzha Kucha