ACKNOWLEDGED as the most glamorous religious celebrations in the world, Christmas which will be celebrated on Sunday, December 25, is when Christians mark the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was born some two millennia ago. As enunciated in the Bible, it is supposed to be a season to mark the ushering in of benevolence and love into the world. In the words of the three wise men otherwise known as the Magi, it was to usher in 'peace on earth and good will to all men.Through time and history, the life of Christ remains a reference point in exemplary character. In all areas of human lives, he practised all the virtues that he preached ' humility, kindness, faith, hope, love and charity, among others. He went about doing good, healing all manner of diseases ' physical, spiritual and emotional. Eschatological teachings claim that he was God, came in the image of man; yet he submitted himself to earthly parental authority as a child. The heavens and the earth bore record that he was God's perfect image. He taught that men should forgive one another their trespasses even as God forgives them; that man cannot obtain forgiveness from God if he refuses to forgive those who trespassed against him. He counseled that everyone should love others as himself. But beyond loving those who love him, man must practise a transcendental love that must love even his enemies, bless those who curse him and pray for those who spitefully use him. Christ taught that those who live by the sword would perish by the sword.All the doctrines espoused in Christ's teachings out-lived his time on earth. Great philosophers and apostles of natural justice and non-violent social change like St. Augustine, St Thomas Aquinas and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, have based their understanding, interpretations, postulations and practices in theology, politics and jurisprudence on the teaching of Jesus Christ. A test of the saying that truth is eternal is amply demonstrated in Christ, such that his teachings are as applicable in contemporary times as they were when they were first enunciated; they remain the most fundamental classics that have endured through ages.In Nigeria today, there is so much religiosity with little or nothing to show for it. The proportion of religiosity does not show in the level of righteousness in the land. There is a wide margin between the rich and the poor. Leaders entrusted with social, economic and political administration, betray the trust reposed in them. There is gross social discontent, social injustice, and social disharmony in the land. Religious insurgencies culminate into deaths of innocent victims. In an unprecedented manner, religious bigotry, sectarianism, and intolerance have all become the purveyors of terrorism, threatening to set the planet ablaze. As echoed in the sermon of the late American Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, titled ''Message of Peace on Christmas'', the judgment of God has come on mankind, and that humankind must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.There is therefore no better time to reflect on the importance of Christmas ' Peace on Earth and good-will to all men- than now. Peace on earth. Good-will to all men. Peace in Nigeria; goodwill to all Nigerians.
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