From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
A cleric, Kayode Aliyu, has urged Nigerians, especially Christian faithful, to show love to one another during this year’s Christmas celebration.
Aliyu made the call while delivering a sermon titled, “The Greatest Gift,” at this year’s Nine Lessons and Christmas Carol Service of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Daki-Biyu District, Kubwa Branch, Abuja.
The 2024 Carol Service, drawn from the book of Isaiah 61:7, had the theme: “Double Glory.”
According to the cleric, the greatest gift at any point is love. “We are looking at the love of God expressed at Christmas. John 3:16 says for God so love the world that he gave his only begotten son.”
Aliyu said the display of love by God is not conditional, hence, everyone should be ready to emulate the gesture.
“God’s love is not a relationship of give and take. He only wants a relationship of father and son. Jesus Christ gave us two instructions; love your God with everything you have and love your neighbours as yourself. If you don’t love your neighbours, it means you don’t love God. So, we are challenged in this Christmas Carol year 2024 to love one another.”
Pastor Ibijoke Ogundipe, wife to the senior pastor of the church, also urged women to share love.
“I call on women as bedrock of the society to gather everyone around them and share love. This will help us to progress as a nation,” she said.
Apostle Seun Sodipe, Secretary of the Carol Steering Committee, called on Christians to share in the blessings that God had given unto mankind.
“This should not only be on financial and material terms, but also in kind words and gestures.
“We never know what the next person is going through. A kind word and gesture can go a long way in ensuring that the person feels loved.”