The Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, The Rt. Revd. Dr. Ifedola Senasu Gabriel Okupevi, has called on Nigerians to embrace courage, faith and renewed commitment to righteousness as the nation celebrates Christmas amid economic and social challenges.
In his Christmas 2025 message released from the Diocesan Palace, Marina, Lagos, Bishop Okupevi said the birth of Jesus Christ remains a powerful reminder of God’s abiding presence with humanity, even in times of uncertainty and hardship. Quoting Luke 2:10–11, he described Christmas as “good news of great joy for all people,” symbolising hope and divine assurance in a troubled world.
Reflecting on the outgoing year, the Bishop acknowledged that Nigeria had faced means “marked by economic hardship, inflation, insecurity and the rising cost of living.” He noted that many families had struggled to survive and that uncertainty about the future had weighed heavily on citizens. However, he stressed that God’s sustaining grace had remained evident despite the difficulties.
According to him, the Diocese of Lagos had declared 2025 as “The Year of God’s Presence and Divine Courage,” a theme he said had proven true throughout the year. “Through every challenge, the assurance of God’s presence has given us strength, and His Spirit has granted us courage to move forward,” he said, urging Christians not to lose heart.
Bishop Okupevi emphasized that the angel’s message to the shepherds — “Do not be afraid” — was especially relevant to Nigeria at this time. He called on Nigerians to trust in God’s sovereign power, assuring them that no situation was beyond divine redemption and no darkness too deep for God’s light to penetrate.
The Anglican leader also challenged political leaders to see governance as a sacred trust, urging them to rule with fairness, integrity and accountability. He reminded them that their decisions affect lives created in God’s image. To citizens, he appealed for perseverance in doing good and for continued acts of kindness, generosity and faithful service.
He further encouraged families celebrating Christmas to remember the less privileged, including the hungry, displaced, lonely and grieving, and to allow love, forgiveness and compassion to shape their celebrations.
As Nigerians look ahead to the new year, Bishop Okupevi prayed for God’s continued presence and divine courage to face the future with hope. He wished Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year, praying for peace to reign in hearts, the Church and the nation.
