{"id":3009,"date":"2021-12-24T17:56:33","date_gmt":"2021-12-24T17:56:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/?p=3009"},"modified":"2021-12-24T17:56:39","modified_gmt":"2021-12-24T17:56:39","slug":"press-statement-christmas-a-season-of-hope-peace-and-joy-can-president","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/?p=3009","title":{"rendered":"PRESS STATEMENT: Christmas, A Season of Hope, Peace and Joy &#8211; CAN President"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/SnapPic_20211224182721557-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3010\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/SnapPic_20211224182721557-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/SnapPic_20211224182721557-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/SnapPic_20211224182721557-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/SnapPic_20211224182721557-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/SnapPic_20211224182721557-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/SnapPic_20211224182721557-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/SnapPic_20211224182721557-440x440.jpg 440w, https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/SnapPic_20211224182721557-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/SnapPic_20211224182721557-120x120.jpg 120w, https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/SnapPic_20211224182721557.jpg 1131w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>I rejoice with all Christians in Nigeria and of course all over the world at this season of Christmas, the season when God became man to live among us in order to redeem us from all our sins and eternal death. My prayer is that nothing would steal from your joy of this season in the name of Jesus Christ. (John 1: 14)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let us remember that the devil is a deceiver and what we are passing through presently in Nigeria might not be what would cause us to rejoice! Of course, what we are currently passing through may not give anybody hope of tomorrow humanly speaking unless those in power are more decisive and God intervenes for us. We are experiencing insecurity everywhere, most especially, the kidnapping, wanton killings and destructions of facilities here and there by the criminals in our midst, the insurgency in the northeast, the northwest and the north central of Nigeria, just to mention a few are terrible things of great concern. They do not give us joy at all humanly speaking. However, we need to remember that part of the purposes of the birth of Jesus Christ is to give hope to the hopeless and deliver us from sin and those who hate us. He came to set the captives free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>The Bible says in 1Peter 1: 3-4 thus:<\/p><p>\u201cBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Peter\u2019s letter really was to a people who were hopeless, otherwise, he wouldn\u2019t have attached hope in Christ to his message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>My message to all Nigerians is to remain hopeful in Christ Jesus and rejoice in hope no matter what the situation we are passing through may be. Our Father God can turn all situations around in Christ Jesus because as God, he can do all things. He is our Way-maker and he would make way for us in the name of Jesus.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>I urge you to receive Jesus as the Lord over your life today, share the message of the saving power of Jesus with others who do not know him and show love in a practical way to someone around you. Let us through the love of Christ embrace one another irrespective of religious, ethnic and political differences. Let us be reconciled to God and to one another. Let all the killings, the kidnapping of our fellow brothers and sisters and all other acts of wickedness stop because God is going to judge these acts on the day of judgement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At this season of Christmas, I plead with those at the corridor of power to use it to bring relief and joy to the citizens of this country. It is the good you have done now that people would remember tomorrow. Please, let us lessen the pains of Nigerians by paying more attention to their well-being in the prompt payment of workers salaries and pensions to the pensioners. Let all things be done to reduce the high cost of things in the market and let enabling environment be created for employment of our youths who are roaming the streets having no job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">You can also read the following related post:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-wordpress wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-christian-association-of-nigeria\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"ttf0LHNFdw\"><a href=\"https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/2021\/12\/21\/25th-december-existed-as-christmas-before-the-pagan-feast\/\">25TH DECEMBER EXISTED AS &#8216;CHRISTMAS&#8217; BEFORE THE PAGAN FEAST<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;25TH DECEMBER EXISTED AS &#8216;CHRISTMAS&#8217; BEFORE THE PAGAN FEAST&#8221; &#8212; Christian Association of Nigeria\" src=\"https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/2021\/12\/21\/25th-december-existed-as-christmas-before-the-pagan-feast\/embed\/#?secret=ttf0LHNFdw\" data-secret=\"ttf0LHNFdw\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I plead with all Nigerians not to let off their guards on Covid-19 protocols. The world has entered the fourth phase of the pandemic and it is spreading faster than other phases. Please, wherever you go, especially in public places such as markets and churches, wear your masks and keep all the safety protocols.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I pray that none of us would die untimely in the mighty name of Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once again, I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a happy and very prosperous New Year 2022 in Jesus\u2019 name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Signed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rev. Dr. Samson \u2018Supo Ayokunle<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>President, Christian Association of Nigeria &amp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Co-Chairman, Nigeria Inter Religious Council (NIREC)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>23 December, 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Follow us on social media:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-social-links is-layout-flex\"><li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-facebook wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/christianassociationofnigeria.com\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12c0 5 3.7 9.1 8.4 9.9v-7H7.9V12h2.5V9.8c0-2.5 1.5-3.9 3.8-3.9 1.1 0 2.2.2 2.2.2v2.5h-1.3c-1.2 0-1.6.8-1.6 1.6V12h2.8l-.4 2.9h-2.3v7C18.3 21.1 22 17 22 12c0-5.5-4.5-10-10-10z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-instagram wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/christianassociationofnigeria.com\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12,4.622c2.403,0,2.688,0.009,3.637,0.052c0.877,0.04,1.354,0.187,1.671,0.31c0.42,0.163,0.72,0.358,1.035,0.673 c0.315,0.315,0.51,0.615,0.673,1.035c0.123,0.317,0.27,0.794,0.31,1.671c0.043,0.949,0.052,1.234,0.052,3.637 s-0.009,2.688-0.052,3.637c-0.04,0.877-0.187,1.354-0.31,1.671c-0.163,0.42-0.358,0.72-0.673,1.035 c-0.315,0.315-0.615,0.51-1.035,0.673c-0.317,0.123-0.794,0.27-1.671,0.31c-0.949,0.043-1.233,0.052-3.637,0.052 s-2.688-0.009-3.637-0.052c-0.877-0.04-1.354-0.187-1.671-0.31c-0.42-0.163-0.72-0.358-1.035-0.673 c-0.315-0.315-0.51-0.615-0.673-1.035c-0.123-0.317-0.27-0.794-0.31-1.671C4.631,14.688,4.622,14.403,4.622,12 s0.009-2.688,0.052-3.637c0.04-0.877,0.187-1.354,0.31-1.671c0.163-0.42,0.358-0.72,0.673-1.035 c0.315-0.315,0.615-0.51,1.035-0.673c0.317-0.123,0.794-0.27,1.671-0.31C9.312,4.631,9.597,4.622,12,4.622 M12,3 C9.556,3,9.249,3.01,8.289,3.054C7.331,3.098,6.677,3.25,6.105,3.472C5.513,3.702,5.011,4.01,4.511,4.511 c-0.5,0.5-0.808,1.002-1.038,1.594C3.25,6.677,3.098,7.331,3.054,8.289C3.01,9.249,3,9.556,3,12c0,2.444,0.01,2.751,0.054,3.711 c0.044,0.958,0.196,1.612,0.418,2.185c0.23,0.592,0.538,1.094,1.038,1.594c0.5,0.5,1.002,0.808,1.594,1.038 c0.572,0.222,1.227,0.375,2.185,0.418C9.249,20.99,9.556,21,12,21s2.751-0.01,3.711-0.054c0.958-0.044,1.612-0.196,2.185-0.418 c0.592-0.23,1.094-0.538,1.594-1.038c0.5-0.5,0.808-1.002,1.038-1.594c0.222-0.572,0.375-1.227,0.418-2.185 C20.99,14.751,21,14.444,21,12s-0.01-2.751-0.054-3.711c-0.044-0.958-0.196-1.612-0.418-2.185c-0.23-0.592-0.538-1.094-1.038-1.594 c-0.5-0.5-1.002-0.808-1.594-1.038c-0.572-0.222-1.227-0.375-2.185-0.418C14.751,3.01,14.444,3,12,3L12,3z M12,7.378 c-2.552,0-4.622,2.069-4.622,4.622S9.448,16.622,12,16.622s4.622-2.069,4.622-4.622S14.552,7.378,12,7.378z M12,15 c-1.657,0-3-1.343-3-3s1.343-3,3-3s3,1.343,3,3S13.657,15,12,15z M16.804,6.116c-0.596,0-1.08,0.484-1.08,1.08 s0.484,1.08,1.08,1.08c0.596,0,1.08-0.484,1.08-1.08S17.401,6.116,16.804,6.116z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Instagram<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-youtube wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/CAN%20TV\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M21.8,8.001c0,0-0.195-1.378-0.795-1.985c-0.76-0.797-1.613-0.801-2.004-0.847c-2.799-0.202-6.997-0.202-6.997-0.202 h-0.009c0,0-4.198,0-6.997,0.202C4.608,5.216,3.756,5.22,2.995,6.016C2.395,6.623,2.2,8.001,2.2,8.001S2,9.62,2,11.238v1.517 c0,1.618,0.2,3.237,0.2,3.237s0.195,1.378,0.795,1.985c0.761,0.797,1.76,0.771,2.205,0.855c1.6,0.153,6.8,0.201,6.8,0.201 s4.203-0.006,7.001-0.209c0.391-0.047,1.243-0.051,2.004-0.847c0.6-0.607,0.795-1.985,0.795-1.985s0.2-1.618,0.2-3.237v-1.517 C22,9.62,21.8,8.001,21.8,8.001z M9.935,14.594l-0.001-5.62l5.404,2.82L9.935,14.594z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">YouTube<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I rejoice with all Christians in Nigeria and of course all over the world at this season of Christmas, the season when God became man to live among us in order to redeem us from all our sins and eternal death. My prayer is that nothing would steal from your joy of this season in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3010,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[372,293],"tags":[316,359,208,368,294,251],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/SnapPic_20211224182721557.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3009"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3009"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3009\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3011,"href":"https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3009\/revisions\/3011"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3010"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3009"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3009"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianassociationofnigeria.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3009"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}