CHRISTMAS: A RESURGENCE OF HOPE
As we celebrate the joy of Christmas, we give thanks to God for the grace and privilege to celebrate this year and to share with one another the love of God made manifest in the incarnation event. The birth of Jesus Christ is the reason for the season. Jesus Christ was not only born at a time in history but He lives always in us and reminds us of Godโs presence among us – Emmanuel. It is on this note that we bring to you dear people of God the message of hope and joy that Christmas reechoes. The Incarnation of Christ brought the fulfilment of the longing expectation that filled the hearts of the people of God as theyย hopedย for their promised Messiah. Christmas therefore reminds us to be full of Hope. Christ brought Hope to the hopeless, pardon to the guilty, forgiveness to the conscience-stricken, peace to those who knew no peace, sight to the blind, freedom to the oppressed and declaration of favour from the Lord (Lk. 4:18).
The Holy Father Pope Francis also about this time has declared the Jubilee Year of Hope and instructed us to keep Hope for peace alive as pilgrims of hope in a world full of war, evil, hopelessness and despair. This hope is different from the worldโs understanding of hope that is often based on mere wish but a strong and confident expectation, an unwavering trust in the faithful God. It is based on truth that is not just an idea but the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the Way, Truth and Life (Jn. 14:6). Therefore, we have this Hope as an anchor for our souls, firm and secured (Heb. 6:19-20), which prevents the worries and vicissitudes of life from distracting us from Godโs plans for our lives; a plan for peace, bright future and hope. (Jer. 29: 11). Christmas is indeed a time of โRenewed Hopeโ, not hope in a particular political concept or government policies but Hope in Jesus Christ; the hope that subsists despite our insufficiency, poverty and hunger. Hope was the driving force of the incarnation and the fulfillment of Godโs promise. In spite of all the pessimism and cynicism we find among Nigerians today and the several disturbing headlines about hunger, corruption, banditry, insecurity, assassinations, riots, kidnapping and the mass exodus of Nigerians abroad for greener pasture. Our message at this Christmas is that God is with us in Nigeria and we should never lose hope in our common pursuit to build a nation where peace and justice shall reign. May God direct our noble cause and guild our leaders right.
ENTHRONING THE STRUCTURES OF HOPE IN NIGERIA
The experience of Nigerians today is not entirely different as they continue to trust and hope in their leaders to bring succour and relief to them amidst the myriads of problems that confront the government and people. The worsening socio-economic situation has led some Nigerians to an atmosphere of general despair, hunger, pain and despondency. Some citizens do not see hope or any change in sight despite the purported interventions of government in the economic recovery plan and otherwise. What is the hope for Nigeria and Nigerians and how do we overcome the socio-political, economic and moral problems of our country? Hence, we submit that the vision of โRenewed Hopeโ should not remain at the level of mere mantra but a task and responsibility for government and the people. We must collectively work to enthrone the structures of hope that will positively impact the lives of the citizenry. Consequently, we must identify the vulnerable groups among us who require urgent assistance. Youth employment and empowerment should be top on government agenda so as to give hope to our young people that there is a bright future for them in their fatherland. Government should identify critical areas of need and possible interventions such as food, education, health care, housing, security etc.
Affordable loans should be made available to small and medium scale enterprises and providing the enabling environment for businesses to thrive in Nigeria. More interventions from government in these areas will enthrone the structures of โRenewed Hopeโ that government intends to establish.
The various agencies of government should work to instill hope in Nigerians by designing people-centered policies that will prioritize the well-being of Nigerians. While the government has enjoined the people to be patient for the positive effects of the removal of fuel subsidy to materialize, we urge government to ensure that the savings from fuel subsidy removal and flotation of the Naira be reinvested to building infrastructures and addressing the raging economic problems affecting our people.
We acknowledge the increased monthly allocation to State Governments, increased workersโ minimum wage, students loan, cash transfer schemes to the vulnerable, 2025 Budget proposals with more allocation for capital projects and debt recovery and other interventions by the government but we advise that more be done in areas of food inflation, fixing our local refineries to meet contemporary standards, investment in social programs, fixing incessant collapse of national grid and addressing insecurity headlong. We believe these will help to cushion the adverse effects of current government economic policies on Nigerians.
We have an opportunity again at this Christmas to allow truth become the loudest voice in our lives as it provides an avenue for us to move from hopelessness to better living conditions and opportunities for businesses to thrive. God does not change, even when our circumstances do. Our God reigns and in Him we hope and trust. Hence, He sent His Son Jesus Christ as the reason for our joy and hope of Christmas. We must allow this understanding of hope to reshape and renew our minds towards building the Nigeria of our dream.
As we draw closer to the end of year 2024, we must learn to hope and trust in God who alone can help us out of the socio-political, economic and religious crisis of our country. We do our part as responsible citizens and urge government to enthrone the structures of hope in Nigeria. We trust in Divine Providence for Renewed Hope and a better year 2025. Nigeria will rise again and it will happen in our time. God bless Nigeria. We wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance.
Most Rev. Dr. Peter Kayode Odetoyinbo
Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta
23/12/24
Leave feedback about this