The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo on Friday in Ibadan urged the Christian faithful not to make merry during Christmas without helping needy people.
Bishop Badejo gave the advice in his Christmas message titled: No real Christmas in conflict and on empty stomachs.”
Badejo stated that the world needed the spirit and essence of Christmas: love, peace and harmony in the face of strife, conflicts, bloodshed, hunger, suffering, abuse and injustice.
He urged the Christian faithful to focus on Jesus by fixing the world that he came to save and improve people’s lives.
According to him, Jesus Christ is the central character, the reason for the season, which is why Christmas was adapted from his name.
“He came for peace; let us all work for peace. He brought God’s love; let us all spread God’s love.
“Spare a thought and do something this Christmas for the poor, the sick and the suffering, the oppressed, victims of violence, greed, racism, tribalism and so on.
“Look at the manger and see how peace and harmony still elude us today and play your own part to create a better Christmas for all around you.
“Jesus Christ came into the world to destroy all the discomforts of humanity, especially sin. All who claim to celebrate Christmas must do the same,” he stated.’
