Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
The Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah has in his Christmas on Wednesday stated that Christmas is once again upon us, a season traditionally marked by joy, hope and goodwill to all humanity.
Yet, for Nigeria, this sacred season finds the nation weighed down by violence, sorrow and deep uncertainty.
He said Our land remains trapped in a web of insecurity that tempts many to despair. Still, the central message of Christmas endures: Emmanuel God is with us.
As the Prophet Isaiah reminds us, a people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, a light that darkness cannot overcome.
It is this light we must embrace, even as we urge our leaders to strengthen their resolve to alleviate the suffering of our people.
He reiterated that while resources may not suffice to feed the greed of a few, there is enough to cater for the needs of all.
Christ remains the cornerstone of our faith, even when circumstances threaten to weaken our resolve. For too long, Nigerians have watched helplessly as communities are torn apart by recurring cycles of violence.
He said Periods of calm are often short lived, quickly replaced by renewed bloodshed. Yet, the birth of Christ itself unfolded amid brutality and fear.
Born into poverty, Jesus entered a world already marked by violence, as King Herod ordered the massacre of innocent children.
These Holy Innocents, commemorated by the Church on 28 December, remind us that suffering and salvation have long walked side by side.
Christmas, therefore, calls us not to falter, but to renew our strength, trusting that those who wait upon the Lord shall rise again.
He reaffirmed that, the Christmas story also compels us to confront the harsh realities facing innocent children today.
Across the world from Gaza to Sudan children are robbed of safety and childhood by conflict. In Nigeria, the tragedy is painfully familiar.
“The stories of Chibok and Dapchi linger as unresolved wounds, compounded by official negligence and collective silence.
“From Maga to Papiri, thousands of children have been exposed to abduction, abuse, early marriage and exploitation.
“These children represent our future, and as we contemplate the Christ Child, we must persist in prayer and hope, trusting that our Redeemer lives.”
He said despite the darkness, Nigerians must renew their belief that evil can be overcome. This struggle is a battle for the soul of our nation and cannot be outsourced.
We must ask difficult questions about how we arrived at this point and what has allowed such cruelty to flourish. In our shared grief, we have buried the dead together and mourned as one people.
“It is only by holding together in darkness that we can welcome the light together. Our response must not be rooted in vengeance or the weapons of the flesh, but in faith, prayer and steadfast witness to the Gospel.”
Kukah further stated that, the violence confronting us is not accidental. It is the bitter fruit of toxic politics, greed and moral collapse.
Those who kill and terrorize are not strangers; they are products of our society, shaped by poverty, ignorance and miseducation.
“Nowhere is this more evident than in northern Nigeria, where poverty, illiteracy and disease have created fertile ground for extremism. The choice before us is stark: we must renovate our values, educate our people, or face collective ruin.”
He said Knowledge and moral renewal remain the surest paths away from darkness.
Christians, however, are no strangers to persecution.
According to him Christianity was born in the crucible of oppression under the Roman Empire, yet it outlived emperors and empires alike.
The Church has never sought persecution, but it has never fled from it. Anchored in faith, we trust not in earthly power but in the Lord alone.
He said History assures us that the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity, and our help will always come from God.
“Throughout history, adversity has only strengthened the resolve of believers. Love, not violence, must guide our response, for violence can never defeat violence. Jesus’ command to Peter to put away the sword remains timeless”.
“Scripture reminds us that victory does not belong to the swift or the mighty, but to those who trust in God. From the fall of Jericho to the deliverance at the Red Sea, salvation has always come through faith, perseverance and grace.
“In our weakness, God’s power is made manifest, and His grace remains sufficient.”
“We owe a profound duty to those who have died through abduction, armed robbery, martyrdom and senseless killings.
“Beyond prayers for their souls and comfort for their families, we owe them a commitment to build a nation founded on justice and peace.
“Christmas is not merely a date on the calendar; it is a vocation. Like the shepherds, we pray that millions displaced in camps and forests will hear the good news that joy has entered the world.
“Our lives must reflect the face of Christ through love, reconciliation and peace.”
“Nigeria today mirrors the trials described by St. Paul danger on the roads, in cities, in open fields and even among false brethren.
“Yet, as ambassadors of Christ, our message to the world must remain one of hope, joy, and reconciliation, even amid uncertainty.
“Finally, we rejoice at the safe return of abducted children and commend all who worked and prayed for their release.
“We share in the joy of their families, teachers, religious communities, and all people of goodwill. Yet, one abduction is already too many.”
“We pray that this marks the end of such ordeals in our land. Despite all, let us not deny ourselves the joy of Christmas. May the light of Christ guide Nigeria toward healing, peace and renewal.”
