*says Nigeria dealing with toughest of all times
*hails Muslim woman, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani for distributing foodstuff to Christian widows
By JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
As Christians the world over celebrate Christmas on December 25, Nigerians have been urged to be kind hearted, to ease the pains of those going through hardship.
Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna State Chapter and Country Drector, Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, Reverend John Joseph Hayab made the call in his Christmas Message, made available to our correspondent on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2022.
“Our nation Nigeria today is dealing with the toughest of all times, things seem to be moving in regression, we do not seem to be growing as a nation, daily people die out of starvation, ill-health, poverty to mention but these.
“The fact is that our nation Nigeria is in dire need of kind hearted citizens who are willing to give their all for the survival of the nation and people. There is no better time that this nation ever needed the show of kindness than this material time. Matthew 10:8 reminds us daily that “… Freely you have received; freely you should give”. Like Christ selfleslessly gave himself so also we are called to selfless sacrifice to those in need,” he said.
Hayab tasked leaders during this season, to continually teach their people the importance of giving, not only within this season, but as long as they live on earth.
“In Hebrews 13:16 we have been admonished thus; “and do not forget to do good and to share with others, for 1:59 PM P.
with such sacrifices God is pleased.” He quoted.
He explained that, “the act of giving is not only for the old or young, rich or poor, mighty or lowly, no, as long as we are alive, we have what someone needs to gain hope again. In the biblical story of Lazarus and the rich man, the rich man was not condemned because he was rich, no, he was condemned because he had more than enough to give but he watch poor Lazarus suffer starvation.
“Someone just needs a meal, a kind word, a hug, a smile, a little amount of money e.t.c to have hope in life again. This season calls us to attend to these needs of others.
“Brethren, we are not blessed by the amount that we give, we are blessed by the quality
of our gift, a gift should be given in love with the sole purpose of meeting the needs of
others.
“This is an attitude parents should teach there children from their childhood as scripture says, when we train a child, he will grow and not depart from the right path.
“This is a call to action not words, parents should provide for their children and guide them to picking what have been provided for them to give other people around them that are in need,” he stressed.
According to him, “there are many children out there that need just the fragments of the old tattered toy that your child no longer needs, some just need those clothes that your child can no longer wear, parents should be seen at the season and beyond guiding their children to picking these things and gifting other children within their reach, churches, societies, associations and individuals should be seen at this season meeting the needs of others, true love should be seen around, kindness should be felt in each street, neighborhood, village, town, city, and any where souls breath.
“Luke 21:1-4 reads, “as Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.
“Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” There is absolutely no one that should be left out in this call for kindness, just a little kindness will heal our land.”
“My heart was delighted at the break of the news of the Muslim Woman (Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani) who kick-started the distribution of food stuffs to Christian widows in our dear state, this shows us that there are non Christians who understands the true meaning of
these season,” he said.
Kaduna CAN Chairman therefore, called on Christian brothers and sisters who the Lord has blessed, to learn from this kind gesture of Hajiya Ramatu and be challenged.
“By this kind gesture, she has contributed her quota to building a peaceful, and loving nation that we both so desire.
“And scripture tells us that there is no gift given out of love that comes without a blessing. Psalm 112:5 reads, “Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice”.
“Also Proverbs 11:24 says “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty and in Proverbs 11:25 we learn that “a generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others
will be refreshed”.
“Let me reiterate, this is the time in this nation that we so desperately need this act of giving, this show of love and kindness. We should dedicate our lives to giving our all for the salvation of human kind especially as our nation takes final steps into the election year proper, we should fill the environment with mutual love, care and concern for each other, we should give respect, understanding, love, and tolerance to especially people who share opinions that are against our opinion, faith that is different from ours and believes that contradict our believes,” he said.
He added, “We should be seen truly leading the Christ-like life giving peace where there is trouble, joy where there is sorrow, comfort where there is despair, happiness where there is sadness as that is the only way we can most effectively speak Christ to the hardened heart.”
He described Christmas as a time for deeper reflection on the message of the season.
“Hallelujah, on to us a Child is born, to us a son is given, and all powers and authority lay on his shoulders, he is called Wonderful, Counselor, a Mighty God, Emmanuel, the prince
of peace to him be glory, honour and adoration forever and ever.
“My heart is filled with joy overwhelming in appreciation to God for making it possible for
us all to witness yet another season of the commemoration of the nativity of the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind.
“The birth of Christ is the ultimate gift ever given in the existence of the world, it is a symbolic gift that aims at exemplifying to us believers the importance of giving and the fact that there is absolutely no limit or boundaries to giving. Scripture says “for God so loved, the world, that he gave his only begotten son…” (John 3:16).
“The major theme of Christmas is “Giving” not just giving but selfless giving which is why we will see, Christ was gifted effortless to the womb that conceived him, when he came, he was birthed in an inn that was not paid for, freely did the wise men from the east took the journey to the place of the blessed birth, for nothing but to give him gifts, royal, priestly and prophetic gifts.
“Even during his ministry, he fed people from bread and fish gotten freely, and he ended his life as a free gift for the salvation of mankind. Indeed it will not be far fetched to say, “giving is the reason for the season.
“As we celebrate this season, may heavens be kind to us, may God protect us all and may he grant us the grace to be able to live up to our expectations in this season that at the end his name alone will be glorified.
“Never forget, do not let this season pass by without you giving something to someone in need and make Christ live always in you by keeping the virtue of giving even after the yuletide season.
“Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year ahead,” he prayed.
