Let us be grateful to God for the gift of life, and for the grace of surviving the numerous security and economic challenges that have arisen in the outgoing year. Being alive to witness yet another Christmas is a great gift from God that should never be taken for granted, particularly in our present realities. We know that thousands who started this year with us are no longer here; having fallen victim to the endemic insecurity in the land caused by kidnappers, bandits, Boko Haram terrorists, health issues, among others. Having come thus far, we must remain thankful and hopeful that the good Lord will sustain us to the end of this year and beyond. The message of Christmas is a message of hope for everyone. The message that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to redeem us and show us the way to the Father in heaven should raise our hope that all is not lost despite all our problems.
God cares and is in control, even if it is difficult to see. We should all strive to bring joy to people, especially those in a state of despair. This should be the desire of everyone not only in this season but all the time. We must be generous to the less-privileged in our midst through our kind words of affirmation, and offering the support that we can as our proclamation of the joyous tidings that “God is with us.” By so doing, we will, in no small measure, help to dampen the wave of violence and hunger in our land, awaken hope in the hopeless, give the water of life to the thirsty and food to the hungry as well as joy to those in distress. These are what God expects from us during this yuletide and beyond.
• Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins is the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos.
