By: Anthony Q. Jiffan, Jr.
MONROVIA: Ahead of Christmas celebration in Liberia, President George Manneh Weah yesterday lit up the National X-mas Tree on the Capitol Hill in Monrovia, called for national unity among Liberians and said that unity and unconditional love covers everything beyond human imagination.
President George Weah addressing a gathering of Government officials as well as other Liberians further noted that only love can keep Liberians together under one umbrella.
According to him, Liberia will continue to move forward as long as its citizens continue to live in unity, and put the country above personal interest.
The former soccer legend indicated that as a sign of showing love to Jesus Christ who died for the redemption of mankind, Liberians and their leaders will gather on the Capitol Hill where the three branches of government are situated to light a Christmas tree in December, a month set aside for the celebration of Christ’s birth.
The National Christmas Tree, President Weah said, is a symbol of light that is regularly shown during the festive season which is an indication to show the light of Jesus Christ on Liberia and other Christian nations across the world.
The lighting of the Christmas tree on the Capitol Hill is an aged-old tradition by the Government of Liberia which is done during the advent of the Yuletide each year. The occasion represents the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the branches and bushes of the tree are regarded as a sign of immortality and are thought to represent Christ’s crown of thorns on the crucifixion, our Executive Mansion reporter explained.
The ceremony brought together several government officials including Minister States for Presidential Affairs, Wesseh Blamoh; Foreign Minister Dee Maxwell Kemayah; Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah; Public Works Minister Ruth Coker-Collins; and Environmental Protection Agency Executive Director Prof. Wilson Tarpeh amongst others.