By Ngwuoke Ngwuoke
With only a few days to Christmas, christians have been advised to honour God during the celebrations.
To this end, they should ponder anew on the blessings of God upon their lives and express gratitude to God for the gift of Jesus Christ.
The Minister in-charge of Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Trans Ekulu Parish, Rev Dr Chinedu Onwuka, gave the advice during the Carol of 9 Lessons and Christmas Carol held in Parish on Sunday.
Dr Onwuka stated that Jesus Christ came to fulfill God’s word in the lives of his people adding that his birth, appearance and coming became liberation, deliverance and redemption for mankind.
“As we go about our Christmas celebration, I enjoin us to live out our faith in this Christmas in a way that honours God and reflects the true meaning of Christmas.
“Make time for worship and praise, whether through attending church services, singing Christmas carols and or reflecting on the goodness and mercies of God over the past days, weeks, months and years.
“Let our celebrations, actions and partying not negate the reason for the season.
“This is a season of good news because in this season we celebrate the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the Messiah, Saviour and Greatest personality that ever lived.
“I therefore enjoin Christians to keep Jesus Christ at the center of their hustle and bustle in order to make the Christmas Celebration worthwhile.
“It is good to prepare to celebrate Christmas in a grand style but it will be an error to get caught up in materialism or secular traditions without making Jesus the central figure of our Christmas Celebration.”
The highpoint of the service was the reading of the 9 lessons in different Igbo dialects as well as Efik and Hausa.
The 9 Lessons centered on The Promise, The Sign of Emmanuel, The Prophecy, The Annunciation, The Birth, The Shepherds, The Maggi, The Word and The Promise.
