The Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo has called on Nigerians, especially Christians, to de-emphasise pleasure for themselves during Christmas and work more for the pleasure of all.
This way, the prelate said Nigerians would feel the real joy that comes with Christmas, noting that this joy would transform the world.
Badejo gave this charge in his Christmas message titled: “Stay With Our World, Lord Jesus,” and made available to newsmen on Monday.
He said Christmas can still be the happiest time of the year “if we celebrate it genuinely,” warning Nigerians against departing from God’s holy plans.
Wishing the people of God merry Christmas, the bishop observed that the season no longer ushers joy and jubilation because many have deviated from the true celebration of Christmas.
The bishop asked Christians to prioritise Jesus in all they do during the season, informing them that true Christmas joy is not found in the dining and wining that characterise the festive period.
Decrying hardship, deaths and pain in the world, Badejo said, “Too many people are suffering and are sad because too little people get everything while too many people get nothing. Hope now has little meaning for many and there is no joy in places where hypocritical leaders, chosen to bring relief and comfort, turn rather into cruel, sadistic despots, oppressors and exploiters. Humans are thus departing from God’s holy plans. Science and technology, given by God to man to dominate the earth with, are largely made tools of exploitation and marginalization by only a few elites with no consideration for justice or moderation.”
“The advent of Jesus through the family is betrayed by the discord and division in families and communities all around. How can we proclaim a feast for the lord of life when all around we tolerate and cause the death and destruction of so many innocent children and defenseless people? Modern, woke Christmas which focuses on trees, bright lights, costly presents and fine dinners will not give joy to the world if Jesus is not at the center of it all. He is the reason for the season, the rejoicing, the eating, the drinking and the singing. If we never needed the Lord before we sure do need him now. For in Him alone is our peace,” the Chief Shepherd added.
Insisting the need for people to go back to Christ and celebrate Christmas in its authentic form, Badejo stated that, “The outstretched hands of the baby Jesus invite us to bend to His embrace in humility. If he descended so low to be like us, we must bend down beyond our own desires, security and comfort zone to embrace others in love, peace and reconciliation. His authentic Christmas queries all the glamour and glitz which we covet today, calling us to focus less on pleasure for ourselves and work more for the pleasure of all. That is when Christmas joy will really stay with us and transform our entire world.”
He further encouraged Christians to do everything the Jesus’ way by living in love, peace, joy and hope of God.
“Let us all live out the true Christmas, expressed in love, solidarity, generosity, restoration, reparation and reconciliation. Yes, the son of God came to reconcile the world to God. Christmas invites us all to his manger for love, truth and justice, of sincerity, compassion and humility so that we may all shine like light in the darkness. Let us all believe that it is possible for everyone to be happy in this world. Joy to the world then, for the Lord is born, let the earth receive her King,” he said.
