As Christians across Nigeria and the world mark the birth of Jesus Christ, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged churches to celebrate the season with wisdom, vigilance, and a deep sense of responsibility.
In a statement released on Christmas Eve, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh extended festive greetings to Christians nationwide and to all people of goodwill. He described Christmas as a sacred season that reminds humanity of God’s enduring love, His gift of hope, and the triumph of light over darkness.
“The message of Christmas calls us to live out the values Christ embodies—love, peace, patience, sacrifice, and compassion. Even amid the economic challenges and security concerns confronting our nation, the birth of Christ reassures us that God has not abandoned His people and that hope remains alive,” Archbishop Okoh said.
He urged church leaders and congregations to observe the celebrations with care and prudence. “As churches gather to worship and rejoice during this festive season, I encourage Christian leaders to act with wisdom, vigilance, and a profound sense of responsibility. The protection of human life is sacred and must always remain a top priority,” he said.
For churches located in areas with heightened security risks, Archbishop Okoh advised taking practical measures to ensure the safety of worshippers. Where adequate security presence is lacking, he suggested prayerful consideration of safer locations or smaller gatherings that allow for better protection of members.
The CAN President also called on security agencies to enhance their presence around places of worship during the Christmas period and encouraged close collaboration between churches and law enforcement to ensure peaceful celebrations.
“As we celebrate, let us remember all Nigerians who are grieving, displaced, or affected by violence and hardship,” he said. “At this season of goodwill, I call on all citizens to work together in the spirit of peace, justice, and unity.”
Archbishop Okoh further emphasized national cohesion, saying: “United by our shared humanity and common destiny, we must renew our commitment to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and the future of Nigeria. Our nation’s stability and progress depend on our collective resolve.”
He concluded with a prayerful wish for the season: “May the joy, peace, and hope of Christmas fill our homes, our churches, and our land. I pray that the New Year brings renewed faith, healing, and lasting peace for Nigeria.”
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