S.O.S ALIEME

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:1, 14. For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6.

It is another Christmas celebration all over the universe. Unarguably, it is a holy celebration that commands respect all over the world. Even other faith believers celebrate it because of its impact on them.  It is both for the young, old, the rich, the poor, the sickly among others.  Despite all the darkness in our world, the light of God continues to shine brighter and brighter. God continues to show His love today as we see countless lives receiving Jesus and being transformed. As we celebrate Christmas with great enthusiasm, we are filled with awe. There is celebration and passion in the air. Christmas is a different thing to different people. To some, Christmas is a time for shopping. To some, it is a time to travel and take that long awaited holiday. To some, Christmas season is a time to eat and drink and enjoy. So what is Christmas to you? As we reflect on this season, I challenge you to maximize this holy season of Christmas. May these revelations touch your heart powerfully and bring you closer to the Saviour, who is the reason for the season. What is the value of our meeting with Christ? What is Christmas going to do for us in terms of changed attitudes and better social conditions? Will Christmas mean just another item in our social calendar or will it mean a new life and new attitudes resulting from our encounter with Christ? After we have sung “Joy to the World” and “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” What then? After we have exclaimed “Peace on earth, good will toward men,” What then? Will we go back home with our same old ways and our same thought? Or will our lives and thoughts be transformed that men will be able to see that we have been with Christ?

The point is that the Word of God is living and active and full of power, making it operative, energizing, and effective. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit. The WORD can turn even dead situations around. The WORD brings healing to our spirit, soul, mind, physical body and our loved ones. We must therefore remember that Christmas is simply a celebration of the ability and power of God’s Word. The WORD of God can create or recreate anything in our lives and in the world. Consequently, we must reassure ourselves that the WORD of God will never fail, and hold onto the promises of God for our lives, children, marriage and careers. The truth of Christmas for us is that the only cure for a wandering life is a life caught up in the wonder of God.  Only when we are lost every day in a wonder over the life of Jesus and a passion to let Him live through us, will we find a sense of vocation that centers and guides us.  People marvel at the thought that God became human, not just to save the world, but to bless the world, to bless being human, to join us in our humanness.  But the biggest wonder is that here we are worshiping a Child whose birth was many, many years ago which we were not present for.  In the years following the birth of Jesus, the people who followed him did not do so because they first knew of his divine, miraculous birth.  It was only after they had been with him, listened to him, saw others healed by him or were healed themselves; only after they had experienced his suffering, his death and Resurrection did they come to believe who Jesus was and where he had come from. 

Don’t be surprised when you learn that some forces are always trying to stop the good you desire from coming to pass. We are constantly in a spiritual warfare. As believers we must continually resist the devil and his demons. The devil is always making attempts to destroy or stop the plan of God for our lives. But Satan is always failing and will continue to fail. Just as the angel instructed Joseph on what to do, and the salvation of mankind was preserved, so also will God always make a way of escape for us. As we celebrate Christmas, let us remind ourselves that though the battle for our lives and happiness is real, God is there to always give us victory from time to time. He will never fail us.  Nigerian Christians are not left out of this celebration but for some it is going to be a celebration with difference because of what the country is passing through presently.

Celebration in a country that treats the rule of law with contempt, poor and bastardized economy, caged legislative houses, chained freedom of speech, bloating corruption, among other vices plaguing the country. Yet in the midst of all these upheavals, there is a sublime quiet and deep silence in the land. During this time Jesus promised: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27).  This was a promise of a healing inner peace that would transcend the tumult of the world. It is a promise that has spanned the centuries and is as open to us as it was to the disciples of that time. Part of that peace comes in knowing that the trials and torments that we experience in Nigeria cannot harm us eternally. The fruition of the gospel plan extends beyond this life. Christ has overcome the world, and the promise of a universal resurrection, and the physical perfection of that state, provides us with a certain peace and allows us an optimistic spirit. 

Nigerians are on the threshold of the greatest trial they would ever experience, no doubt about this. Right now, you may be going through the hardest time you've ever faced. Your life may be unsettled, and things may look hopeless. Could it be a lost job? Maybe your financial situation is out of control. There seems to be no way out for you. Every avenue you turn to fills you with more stress, confusion and weariness.  “How can I have peace with all of this debt hanging over my head? How can I possibly be calm when I need a financial miracle? I'm at the end of my rope. The future seems so uncertain.” Maybe your family is in a crisis, or your marriage is struggling, or your health is failing, and there seems to be no hope ahead. You tell yourself, “If I could just see some light at the end of the tunnel. Yet all I see is uncertainty on all sides. If I could just get healing for my body — get deliverance for my child — get out of debt — then I'd have peace. Give me a miracle, and I'll know peace.” The miracle is here with us today, Christ is the miracle worker and He has come to give you peace.

We seek the blessing of inner peace at every stage of life. Some people attempt to fulfill the natural yearnings of their soul for peace and completeness with money, new homes, automobiles, worldly success, sexual encounters, and even national pride. But none of these sugar pills even satisfy, let alone cure. Our restless longing can finally be fulfilled only through the Son of Righteousness. He alone has healing in his wings. He alone is the Source of our life.  He is the fountain of water springing up into eternal life. He is the Living Water for us, as he was for the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. He is the Source of our daily bread, our manna, the Bread come down from heaven, the Bread of Life. He is the Light of the world. He is the True Vine, and we are the branches. Cut off from him, we can do nothing.

Merry Christmas and God Bless Nigeria!!!