By Chris Chimezie
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Christians in Nigeria have been advised to live a life of righteousness and selflessness as exemplified by the Lord Jesus Christ.

This advise was given by the National President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev (Dr) Samson Ayokunle at the weekend.

The cleric who described Christmas as a season to seek Jesus Christ passionately and one of the periods for everyone to worship Him with all their profession and resources, emphasized the need for christians to be godly in all their dealings.

The CAN President stated this at the 2018 Service of Carols held at the International Culture and Event Centre (The Dome)in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The Cleric noted that Christ is reason for the season which makes it unique all over the world and placed it above every other celebrations.

In his sermon, Rev Ayokunle identified three advantages of Christmas which included a season to seek Jesus Christ passionately, a season to worship God in truth and  to seek Him with all we have.

“We must all repent from our sins and endeavour to give God all we have. God does not want the gift of anyone who has not fully submitted his life unto Him.

“lf you don’t know Jesus Christ, you don’t know life. You need to seek reality in Him because it does not exist elsewhere. Let’s also give Him praise and honour everyday and let’s learn to worship Him with humility of heart”, he said.

The Cleric described the season as the reason Nigerians should be happy because it is that special season Christ, our saviour was born.

Ayokunle, admonished Nigerians to give their lives to Christ and worship Him in truth as He remains the only way to eternal life.

In his remarks, Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who read the Nineth Lesson from the Book of Isaiah 61:1-11,said Christmas, which is being celebrated everywhere, remains the most celebrated festival worldwide.

He explained that the only other common celebration is the new year, and it isn’t celebrated like Christmas.

“We all know the reason for the season. We are here to celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ Himself is God, we are celebrating God.

“No wonder it’s the most celebrated festival in the world. There is no other celebration like this.

We don’t need to preach about Christ. We all know that at the mention of the name, all knees shall bow,” he said.

The Governor who emphasised the need for the people to live beyond the reason behind the celebration of Christmas, enjoined them to treat the season with care, merry and shun violence.

On the issue of incessant kidnapping in the state, the Governor assured that God has heard all prayers concerning the issue.

“It’s an unfortunate thing, but we have taken very pungent and important measures so that all of us can be free. There is no need to be afraid.

“Kidnapping will be a thing of the past. We are ready to confront it with all we have. We will even continue to confront it with prayers; he said.

Akeredolu, however, called for prayers for the state and stressed that his administration is committed towards protecting the lives of every citizen.

Highpoint of the event was the rendition of various Carol songs from different churches and groups across the state, as well as praise and worship by the renowned gospel legend, Lady Evangelist, Funmi Aragbaye.

The ceremony also witnessed the presentation of gifts to participants and cutting of the Carol cake.