- As Christians herald Yuletide with 2024 Carol of 7 lessons
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bauchi State chapter, Rev (Dr) Abraham Damina Dimeus has cautioned Christian families and farmers to shun the pressure of selling their farm produce for the sole purpose of celebrating Christmas this year.
According to him, those that allow such pressure to overwhelm them may live to regret their actions in the new year.
Reverend Dimeus gave the warning on Sunday as the State chapter of CAN held the 8th edition of its annual Christmas Carol to flag off activities marking this year’s Yuletide season.
“Please, do not sell your grains due to Christmas pressure because we don’t know what year 2025 will birth. But it is pregnant with a lot of things. Our prayer is that God will take control and see us through the situation. Things are very terrible in the country”, the CAN Chairman warned.
He expressed concerns that hunger looms dangerously in the coming year and farmers must preserve their produce to avoid falling victims of adverse economic situation if eventually, food items become overly expensive in 2025.
The CAN Chairman also urged Christians in the State to be circumspect, careful, and shun extravagant spending during the period as danger looms and may strike without warning.
He said; “2025 is going to be a tough year. I don’t know how it will be, but it is going to be a very difficult one. We have seen the signs of it with the various things that are happening around us, strange things that one cannot explain.
“Well, I think that the 2025 is a pregnant year and what it may give give birth to, I don’t know. But we have to be careful. We need to be as wise as the serpent and as gentle as the dove.
“It is not compulsory that you travel to the village for the Christmas. If you don’t have the means, stay where you are, enjoy the Yuletide period, and celebrate the birth of the Saviour of the world, Jesus Christ. Don’t borrow to celebrate the season because you will regret your actions.
“If you know that going to the village would be very expensive for you., please don’t go. My Village is just close-by, but I will not go. So, if you want to spend the rest of the money or your November salary to go to the Village, safe journey, and when you come back, what you meet at home, don’t blame your husband, or wife. Don’t blame anybody, don’t blame your children, don’t blame your Pastors.
“We need to tell our members the truth and urged everyone to beware of year 2025. Things are going to be pretty difficult. You have been forewarned.”
The Clergy lamented that unknown persons have been visiting people’s farms at night to cart away farm produces, an unfortunate development that spells doom for everyone.
Hear him; “I have been in Bauchi for 23 years but this is the first time I am witnessing this kind of thing. I am a victim too. Unknown people visited my farm and harvested what I farmed. This a terrible situation, and may God see us through it.
Furthermore, he admonished women not to pressure their husbands into doing unholy things just because of one day festivities, urging them to cut their clothes according to the available materials.
On governance in Bauchi State, the CAN Chairman praised Governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir for being forthright and bridging the gap for the Christian community saying that; “The Christian community has not found it so good like during this administration.”
“As minorities in the state, we commend the efforts of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed for carrying Christians along in discharging his responsibilities.”
Dr Damina further said; “Our CAN Secretariat that had been abandoned for 23 years is now almost completed. Every year, we get seats for pilgrimage to Israel. We also have many Christians as political appointees as well as top State Government officials. It is indeed a very good time for us.
“The Governor did something I will never forget. The Contractor handling the construction of the Secretariat is one of us, a Christian, he is doing extremely well with project. He pledged that even if he does not gain anything, he will complete the project. We thank him most sincerely.”
The CAN Chairman while appealing that there should be no rush for gift items during the normal homage to the Government House during the Christmas season, cautioned thus; “Please, our women, be careful and respect yourselves while at the Government House.”
The Carol of Seven Lessons took place at the Redeemed Christian Church Of God (RCCG), Overcomer’s Parish, Millennium Quarters, Yelwa, and drew participants from different Christian denominations as well as Choral groups that treated the audience to inspirational Christmas songs and melodies.
The Seven Lessons were read by different individuals chosen from the Clergymen and other lay leaders, including women.
