By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
It was with pomp and pageantry on Sunday, December 10, a day to remember in Ado-Ekiti as Christians faithful observed the maiden edition of ‘Everybody’s Birthday’ amdist celebrations.
Held at the spacious auditorium of First Baptist Church, Miracle Cathedral, Okeyinmi street in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
Dignitaries and quests from all walks of life, gorgeously dressed in their beautiful white ataires which eventually added glamour and colour to the epoch making event. The Church hall, sparked in its purple and white colour decoration.
Diverse musical instruments were on display; drum set, key board, base and lead guitar, talking drum and other ensembles and joyous choristers nickedname as ‘Mass Choirs’ dished out sonorous music to enliven the audience.
Various activities ranging from special numbers, cum five minutes alloted time presentations to each Birthday months groups from January to December were lined up for the event of this arguably one of the best joint birthday celebrations in the history of the Church.
The theme of the event was tagged; ‘Wisdom For Living’, was drew from the scriptures, Psalm 107:12 and Ephesians 5:15-20.
In a sermon delivered by the Senior Pastor of the Church, Rev. Dr Olukayode Ayinde, charged all the Birthday’ celebrants from January to December to be thanksful to their Maker for preserving their lives despite all odds.
He said the significance of the celebration especially in the lives of the congregation is that the day is been set aside in recognition of God’s goodness and faithfulness to His people.
“It is a day set aside to express our appreciation and to celebrate ourselves and to thank God Almighty for His goodness in the lives of our members and the Church at large for His protection.”
The clergy, who analysed twelve steps for wisdom for living maintained that every living souls must learn how to live a life that’s full of thanksgiving irrespective of age, status and position.
According to him, “Christians should give thanks always; living a peaceful life and forget your right, status and position.”
He also pointed to taking the advantage of every opportunities, adding that procrastination is not just a thief of time, but also a thief of life. “Love verybody and hate nobody, fear God because those who fear God live long and they are being fear by men and their enemies”.
Other key points are: “Work hard but rest well; Forgive all your offenders since we all know that life is full of offences; Plan for future; Help others, remember that building houses is just for awhile, but building people is forever; Takecare of your health; Serve God and Be born again”, the religious leader stated.
It was indeed an historical celebration as diverse musical instruments and different cultural songs were on display to thrilled the congregation.
At a point, the September birthday celebrants stole the show with their deptivating performance and rendition which was not only unique but glorious dance-drama songs martched with white horsetails.
They also came first in their financial contributions towards the program.
Other side attractions that added glamour to the show was that the presentation and serving of “amala with ewedu and gbegiri soups” with enough beaf on top added with free bottle water.
Gift items such as biscuits, slippers, matches, salt, cheeps and so on were shared among the celebrants.
The maiden edition of ‘Everybody’s Birthday’ was truly a celebration of thanksgiving, tradition, elegance and beauty.
It appears as if the whole Church spends a whole year to prepare for the one day event as the entire congregation were full of joy. From the senior Pastor to the person in the Church, there was an uncommon beauty and grace that ooze out of them.
The radiance from Rev. Dr and Rev. Mrs Ayinde and all other members of the Church on that day were indeed unique.
