As millions of Christians worldwide prepare to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, Rt Rev Fonki Samuel Forba, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC), has called on believers to visit the sick and feed the hungry through prioritising love, compassion, and service to those in need.
In a televised Christmas message, Rev. Forba urged members of the Presbyterian Church to reflect on the true essence of Christmas by reaching out to the sick, the poor, and the hungry within their community.
He emphasized that love, the cornerstone of Christianity, should be the guiding principle during this festive season.
“Think of those who are in trouble. Visit the sick and feed the hungry. That is the message of Christmas; the message of love to all of you Presbyterians and to all of you children of God,” the prelate said.
Rev Forba sees Christmas as a moment of hope and rejuvenation for the Church and Christians globally, especially after enduring challenges throughout the past year.
He expressed optimism that the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth would bring liberation and renewal, providing a reason to celebrate the love of Christ in families, churches, and communities.
“Christmas is here to compensate for the troubles, the trials, and the pains we have been going through, and we trust that Jesus Christ’s coming at Christmas will liberate us, will rejuvenate us and give us reason to celebrate the love of Christ in our families, in our Church, and in our communities,” he stated.
The message from the PCC Moderator comes amid heightened preparations among Christians for one of the most significant feasts on the Church calendar, Christmas.
While the exact date of Christ’s birth remains a point of dispute among Christians, December 25 is widely embraced by mainstream Churches, including Catholics, Baptists, Anglicans, and Presbyterians, as the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Many other Christian believers, especially from the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Churches of Christ, argue that Christ’s birth date was never mentioned in the Bible and he never instructed his followers to celebrate his birth.
The Christmas period, which extends to New Year celebrations on January 1, is characterised by acts of forgiveness, reconciliation, and generosity among many Christians.
It is a time for general visitation of loved ones, the lighting of Christmas trees, and the decoration of homes.
