By; Bala B. Bitrus, Minna.
Though the recession bites harder, as the fangs of poverty deals relentlessly on the purchasing power of citizens, Christians in Niger state braved the odds to celebrate this year’s yuletide on Sunday the bad economy notwithstanding.
Christians from various denominations in the state decked in their various attires trouped out in great numbers to celebrate the 2016 Christmas even amidst the sudden harmattern haze and dusty wind which surfaced at dawn on Christmas day, Sunday.
Most churches in Minna, the state capital and environs had hundreds of Christian faithfuls crowded as at worship places as this year’s Christmas coincided with Sunday worship service thus making it a double celebration.
Christian families in many of the churches visited were seen filling out at churches with mostly children dressed in colourful dresses to mark the day.
Vox pox conducted by our correspondent confirmed that many people, especially the none natives could not afford to travel to their various home states, no thanks to the harsh economic downturn.
The one remarkable thing about this year’s Christmas was that it was largely peaceful and quiet. Children mostly were everywhere seamlessly not bothered about the recession.
At the Assemblies of God Church, Tunga in Minna, Reverend Joseph Igiri, the resident Minister extolled the unrivaled qualities of Jesus Christ from birth and throughout his life time on earth.
He said Jesus Christ was born in human flesh and blood but is not same as any man born of a woman. He noted that the rare qualities that made Jesus unique was his pre-birth blessings and prophesies which place him above mortals.
Meanwhile, Christians have been told to return to God for the perfection and fulfillment of the purposes of the birth of Jesus Christ. Pastor David Ojeisekhoba of the Living Faith Church, Bosso said in his Christmas sermon that Jesus was born to reconcile man to God.
“Jesus Christ is the savior of mankind” he said. He pointed out that life without Christ Jesus is living in vain-glory and for nothingness. “Christianity and Christmas without living a Christ-like life is life in vain” he declared.
Pastor Ojeisekhoba admonished Christians to reflect on the life styles and teachings of Jesus Christ and live a life of daily devotion to God and service to humanity.Speaking on the topic, “Understanding the Purpose of the Birth of Jesus Christ”, Pastor Ojeisekhoba argued that Christ came to the world to bring man back to the original plan of God for his life after man had missed and squandered the initial plan of God for man.
“Mankind missed God’s plan when sin came to the world through disobedience by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and this necessitated the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to open a new chapter for man to be reconciled with his creator” he said.He said sin brought about separation between God and humanity. “It separated us from God and left man at the mercy of the devil”.Quoting copiously from the Holy Bible, the clergy said “glory be to God for His grace in giving His begotten son for all of humanity”. He noted that “the gift of Jesus Christ to the world opened a new vistas for mankind through the birth of Christ”.
“The birth of Jesus Christ became the ultimate gift to humanity. And by this singular act, man was restored back to God’s original agenda” he explained further.
This year’s Christmas celebration in parts of Niger state was generally peaceful. Feelers from the Police and the Federal Roads Safety Corp confirmed that there were no breaches to law and order nor any noticeable infractions anywhere on Christmas day.
This the Police Public Relations Officer, Niger state police command, Bala Elkanah confirmed that the command had deployed some 4,000 men and officers from it’s anti-bomb, Mobile and regular Policemen across the state on sentry to ensure maintenance of law and order.
