By Taiye Agbaje

Pastor Kayode Aliyu of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Daki-Biyu District, Kubwa, Abuja, has urged Nigerians to show love to one another, irrespective of religious or ethnic differences, during the Christmas celebration.

Aliyu made the call while delivering a sermon titled ‘The Greatest Gift’ at this year’s Nine Lessons and Christmas Carol Service in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2024 Carol Service, drawn from the Book of Isaiah 61:7, had the theme: ‘Double Glory’.

According to the clergyman, the greatest gift at any time is love.

“We are looking at the love of God expressed at Christmas.

“John 3:16 says, ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son’”.

Aliyu explained that God’s display of love is unconditional, urging everyone to emulate this gesture.

“God’s love is not a relationship of give and take. He only seeks a relationship of father and son.

“Jesus Christ gave us two instructions: love your God with everything you have, and love your neighbours as yourself.

“If you don’t love your neighbours, it means you don’t love God.

“So, we are challenged this Christmas Carol year, 2024, to love one another,” he said.

Pastor Ibijoke Ogundipe, the wife of the Senior Pastor of the church, also encouraged women to share love.

“I call on women, as the bedrock of society, to gather everyone around them and share love. This will help us progress as a nation,” she said.

Apostle Seun Sodipe, Secretary of the Carol Steering Committee, called on Christians to partake in the blessings God has bestowed upon mankind.

“This should not be limited to financial and material terms but also include kind words and gestures.

“We never know what the next person is going through. A kind word or gesture can go a long way in making someone feel loved”.

NAN reports that there were various Christmas song renditions by the Peculiar Choir and the children’s choir of the church.

Prayers were also offered for the church, Nigeria, and its leaders. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Sadiya Hamza