by Peace Akpobome

The Catholic Archbishop of Benin City, Archbishop Augustine O. Akubeze, has called on the Christian faithful to cling unto hope amidst the glaring despair and despondency that characterise daily life in Nigeria.

Archbishop Akubeze, who also sent greetings to the people of Edo State, said the celebration of the birth of Christ should fill the human hearts with “gratitude, hope and joy”, knowing “that great things happen when God visits his people”.

In a 2024 Christmas message titled ‘Hope Does Not Disappoint Us’, the clergyman thanked God in a special way for the blessings and challenges that have characterised the year 2024.

“With hope-filled hearts, we eagerly anticipate the dawn of a New Year and the celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope, 2025,” he said.

Reflecting on the theological virtue of Hope, which he explained was necessitated by the preparation for the Jubilee Year of Hope, Akubeze assured that all who place their hope in the Lord will discover renewed strength.

“Christ is the source of our hope, the reason we find joy and celebration even in the midst of adversity. Without hope, our lives would be shrouded in despair, our hearts heavy with the weight of uncertainty. We would stumble through darkness, devoid of direction or purpose. But with Christ who is our hope, we find the strength to persevere, the courage to face life’s challenges with serenity, and the resilience to overcome adversity,” Akubeze said.

He maintained that hope illuminates the path, enables humanity to anticipate a brighter future, and fills the hearts with the promise of eternal peace in heaven, “provided we remain faithful to Christ’s teachings”.

“Our hope is ignited through a personal encounter with God, who is love. This redemptive power of hope should inspire us to care for the sick, the imprisoned, and those trapped in economic, social, or psychological bondage. Hope should also move us to forgive those who have wronged us, acknowledging that we, too, are in constant need of God’s forgiveness,” the Archbishop said in the message dated December 20, 2024.

“As we contemplate the mystery of the Incarnation, we are reminded to always put our hope in God and never to despair despite the difficulties around us,” he said.

In this Christmas, he urged everyone to become ambassadors of hope to everyone they encounter, especially those shrouded in the darkness of despair.

“Let us proclaim with conviction the radiant light of Christ, who has come to dispel the shadows of our night. May the hope of Christmas be a wellspring of strength, comfort, and joy for all of us. I entrust you and your loved ones to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Queen of Hope,” he said.

He prayed for the peace of Christ to rest upon every family, even as he wished the people a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.