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The annual Nine Lessons and Carols Service, themed \u201cImmanuel, Our Restorer of Hope,\u201d has been held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
\nThe gathering of notable Nigerians and leaders of faith featured scripture readings by personalities, including General Yakubu Gowon (retd), Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyeosom Wike, President of Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, and First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu who took the 8th lesson.<\/p>\n
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\nIn his sermon at the service, Vice President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Baba Payan, called on Christians to embody the spirit of love that defines the season.
\nTitled \u201cLet Brotherly Love Continue,\u201d he emphasised the importance of compassion and kindness in a world often marked by division.
\nRev Payan anchored his message in key biblical passages, including Hebrews 13:1-2, which urges believers to let brotherly love continue and to entertain strangers, as some have unknowingly hosted angels. He also referenced 1 John 4:7-9, declaring that \u201cGod is love,\u201d and John 3:16, which articulates the core of Christian belief: \u201cFor God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nThe cleric highlighted that Christmas is fundamentally about love.
\n\u201cThis season invites us to reflect on how we can show love to those around us\u201d.
\nRev Payan stated that love transcends boundaries of ethnicity, religion, and social status.
\n\u201cYour neighbor is anyone who requires your help\u201d
\nHe urged congregants to reach out to those less fortunate during this festive season.
\n\u201cLet us show love to anyone in need of our help.\u201d
\nRev Payan further elaborated on the significance of love in spiritual life by quoting 1 Corinthians 13:1, which states that without love, even the most eloquent speech is meaningless. \u201cWe live in an age where many seek miracles, signs and wonders. While we celebrate these miracles, sings and wonders, the greatest proof of our spirituality remains our capacity for love.\u201d
\nRev Payan recalled a historical quote attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte regarding Christ\u2019s enduring influence compared to earthly kingdoms.
\n\u201cNapoleon said that while earthly kingdoms may fall, Christ\u2019s kingdom endures because it is built on love,\u201d
\nOther notable personalities in attended included President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio, Head of Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, ministers, Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, traditional rulers, security chiefs, members of the diplomatic corps among others.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The annual Nine Lessons and Carols Service, themed \u201cImmanuel, Our Restorer of Hope,\u201d has been held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja. The gathering of notable Nigerians and leaders of faith featured scripture readings by personalities, including General Yakubu Gowon (retd), Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6759,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6755","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment"],"yoast_head":"\n