By Ken Stanley

The Most Rev. Chris Ede, the Archbishop of Methodist Arch-Diocese of Enugu, has tasked Christians on love, kindness and compassion in communities as true reflection of the embodiment of Jesus Christ.

Ede said this in his Christmas Goodwill Message issued in Enugu on Christmas Day.

The archbishop called on Christians and Nigerians to celebrate this Christmas with joy, generosity, and a commitment to living out the values of love, kindness and compassion that Jesus Christ embodies.

He said, “As we gather to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, I invite you to pause amidst the hustle and bustle of this festive season.

“Let us take a moment to breathe in the wonder, the joy, and the peace that this sacred time offers.

“In a world that often seems torn apart by division, strife and uncertainty, the message of Christmas shines like a beacon of hope.

“The birth of Jesus Christ reminds us that God’s love knows no bounds, that it can bridge even the widest of chasms (gaps), and that it can bring light into the darkest of places.”

According to him, Jesus Christ was born into a world of poverty, of inequality, of displacement, and of fear; and yet, in the midst of these challenges, He announced a new era of possibility, of promise and of transformation.

The cleric called on Christians as believers in Christ to look beyond the problems plaguing our world – insecurity, poverty and conflicts – and instead embody a message of hope and love in communities and people around us.

“We are called to be bearers of light in the darkness, to be agents of reconciliation in a world torn apart, and to be voices of justice and compassion for those who are marginalised and oppressed,” he added.