By Stephen Angbulu
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Sunday, said the message of redemption Christmas brings is a relief for himself, Nigerians and all of humanity.
This was as he said the birth of Jesus Christ signifies the manifestation of God’s grace and mercy in physical forms.
“So it’s a celebration of joy and a great relief. That’s why it’s called the good news. If you are told that someone has paid for all your sins, and your sins are many like mine, that’s great news. That’s my message,” Prof Osinbajo said shortly after the Christmas Day Service held at the Aso Villa Chapel where he had preached the sermon.
Earlier in the service, Osinbajo spoke on the topic ‘The birth of the new covenant’.
According to him, the celebration of Christmas is to mark the birth of grace personified in the person of Jesus Christ.
Quoting the book of Luke 3:23-37, the VP noted that the genealogy of Jesus Christ included people of lower societal standing and a scarred history; showing that greatness can come from the most unlikely places.
He argued that the birth of Jesus in a manger also lends credence to the fact that God is interested, and takes the glory, in humble beginnings.
In an interview with Journalists shortly after the meeting, he said, “My message is the message of Christmas, which is the birth of grace, God’s grace, mercy. That’s what we celebrate today because the birth of Jesus Christ is really, just as I said a few moments ago, the birth of the grace of God.
“From the moment Christ was born, God said he was not going to hold us to account for sin, so long as we believe in what he did; the sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus Christ came to pay in full for all of our sins. So really, the reason why we celebrate is that this is good news. Before, we had to pay for our sins. The consequences of sin, we had to bear. And there was no way…we always continue to sin.
“But with the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, he is coming to replace us, to substitute all our unrighteousness and replace it with his own righteousness, so long as we believe in Him.
So, it’s a celebration of joy and great relief. That’s why it’s called the good news. If you are told that someone has paid for all your sins, and your sis is many like mine, it’s great news. That’s my message.”
The Chaplain of the Aso Rock Presidential Chapel, Pastor Joseph Malomo, said despite the negative economic forecast, Nigerians should rest assured that God is on their side.
He said, “Christ has come and he is the bringer of the new Covenant; the covenant of Emanuel, of God with us. If you have got what else don’t you have, what’s most important is when you have God on your side, things are definitely bound to improve.
“As we go into the new year, with God on our side, no matter how whatever may be the negative forecast of people, we know that God who goes ahead of us will make the cooked places straight. He will straighten the rough edges, he will level the mountains and the valleys and will give us victory.”
