Christians celebrate the birth of Christ

Ghanaian Christians on Thursday joined their counterparts all over the world to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ more than 2000 years ago with church services.

Preaching the sermon at the Police Church in Accra, the Chaplain General, The Very Reverend Benjamin Dennis Quansah urged Christians to extend the love God showed to mankind to People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

He said Christians should live this love and not stigmatise PLWHAs since Jesus Christ, in spite of his exalted position elected to come down to live among men.

Very Rev. Quansah appealed to Christians to change from their bad ways, saying, 'if you are in the new life of Christ you should not cheat on your wife; if you are in the new life of Christ you should not cheat on your husband".

Christians should develop the spirit of giving, he said, adding, "you can give without loving but you cannot love without giving". He said, "Jesus wants us to surrender all that we have just as the three wise men surrendered their knowledge and submitted themselves to the Baby Jesus".

Very Rev. Quansah asked Christians to remain steadfast in the face of difficulties and not yield to the temptation of going to consult oracles saying, God has been with us and would lead us on our way to accomplish the purpose He has designed for us.

From The Regions

In Kumasi, Head of the Brotherhood Church in Kumasi, on Thursday appealed to Ghanaians not to perceive Christmas as an occasion do drink excessively and involve themselves in immoral activities. He said using the Christmas festivities for such acts only turn to undermine the significance of the birth of Christ and should not be encouraged.

Primate S K Adofo was delivering a sermon at a Christmas Service at the Lord Brotherhood Church at South Suntreso in Kumasi. He said Christians should rather use the festivities for sharing the joy of the birth of Christ with their neighbours and reconcile with them.

Primate Adofo said sharing the joy of Christ with others should not be in the form of only gifts but also relate well with their foes and people perceived to have wronged them.

Preaching at the Gospel Revival Church of Christ at Sofoline, Bishop J.N.K. Boateng, founder of the Church, said without unity amongst churches, it would be difficult for the Christian faith to contribute meaningfully to the realisation of peace in the country.

He said since the message of the Founder of the Christian faith, Jesus Christ, was for peace, it is the responsibility of all churches, irrespective of their differences in their doctrines, to come together as one family to help bring about peace and unity.

Bishop Boateng said though the government had done its part in ensuring peace and security through various policies, the church also has a role to play in consolidating the peace moves initiated by the government.

At the True Light of Christ Church at Abrepo also in Kumasi, Reverend Joseph K. Gyimah, leader of the church, appealed to Ghanaians not only pray for security and stability of the nation but also be friendly with each other.

Preaching at the Wesley Cathedral, the Right Reverend Nuh Ben Abubekr, Methodist Bishop of Kumasi, told Christians to insist on responsible conduct among the country's political party leaders to rid the 2004 general elections of acrimony.

"We have a duty to ourselves and the nation to ensure that the peace and stability the country is enjoying by the grace of our Lord is not allowed to be either threatened or disturbed through political intolerance, reckless utterances and mischief", he said.

Bishop Abubekr said Christ's birth was meant to reconcile man to God and to bring peace and joy to the people. "This must be reflected in our lives by way of real peace in the family and the nation."

He, therefore, asked Ghanaians to show genuine commitment to live in peace and reconcile with one another without pre-conditions. Bishop Abubekr spoke of the need for the people to work hard and put in their best and said this is the only way to move the country forward.

Lodonu calls for peace as nation prepares for elections next year

Ho

Very Rev Francis Lodonu, Bishop of the Ho Diocese of the Catholic Church, on Thursday appealed to Ghanaians to let Christmas message of peace and goodwill prevail for peaceful general elections next year.

He told the GNA in an interview at Ho that as the nation prepares for elections next year, journalists should couch their reports of political statements and utterances in a way that would not inflame passions.

''Politicians should also refrain from making unwarranted attacks against their opponents only to score political points'', he said. The Bishop said he agreed with President John Agyekum Kufuor that politicians are not enemies and should therefore not be quarrelling against each other.

He said national reconciliation should be thorough and not pursued through bitterness against people who might have wronged others. Bishop Lodonu said Ghana remains an oasis of peace because "the events of the past have prepared us for today for which reason there should be no room for vengeance''.

He prayed for religious tolerance, fellow feeling among humanity and compassion towards one another.

Kumasi

Preaching the sermon at the Ramseyer Memorial Presbyterian Church, Rev Dr Yaw Frimpong-Manso, Chairperson of Asante Presbytery said God has been good to Ghanaians and has protected the country throughout the year, adding that ''God will be with us in the years ahead.

Rev Dr Frimpong-Manso told the congregation that the news of the birth of Christ was first given to the shepherds and this is an indication for those in leadership positions to go down to the level of the marginalized and vulnerable in society.

''Christmas must be a period of sober reflection upon the life and love of Christ and goodwill to all mankind", he said.

"Christ showed us the way of humility and simplicity in his birth in a manger. We must also exhibit a high sense of humility and simplicity in our lives as Christians."

At the Saint Mary's Sanctuary Grotto at Buoho near Kumasi, Rev Fr Amoakohene Tawiah, the Parish Priest, asked Christians to change their social and religious attitudes and behaviours towards their neighbours.

"As we celebrate Christmas we must all forget the past, bury all our differences and reconcile with others who have offended us so that together we uplift our spiritual and physical development and help rebuild the country."

He said as the nation prepares for elections next year ''there is the need for love for one another as one people with a common destiny and seek peace in the electioneering campaign and elections.''

The Rev Kojo Amo, General Secretary of the Ghana Baptist Convention appealed to Ghanaians to adopt new mindset and develop positive attitudes to ensure peace and development. He said there is the need for tolerance, love for one another and hard work to redeem the nation from its present socio-economic problems. He said Christmas signifies peace, love, goodwill and reconciliation.

People should, therefore, let these attributes reflect in their daily lives to ensure that nobody breached the peace and stability the country is enjoying.

The Rev Amo advised politicians and journalists to be careful in their utterances and actions in order not to plunge the nation into confusion.

''Journalists must communicate the truth in a way that would bring peace and unity to the people.''

''Democracy should not bring chaos and anarchy, but rather must enable individuals to play their respective roles responsibly to improve the fortunes of the nation'', he said.

He said next year would be a challenging one but with total resolve and commitment by all, the nation could pass through peacefully to further consolidate the democratic principles of the country.

The Rt. Rev Daniel Yinkah-Sarfo, Anglican Bishop of Kumasi called on Christians to have goodwill for one another.

"We need everybody irrespective of the person's religious, social, cultural, economic or political inclinations for the effective and accelerated development of the country," he said. Bishop Yinkah-Sarfo was preaching at the Saint Cyprian's Anglican Cathedral.

He stressed the need for all Ghanaians to learn to live in peace and to co-operate and support the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) to heal the wounds of the nation.

"We must all forget the past in order to forge ahead for the speedy progress of the country," he added.

The Bishop told the congregation to pray for peace and unity in the country, saying, "peace will elude us if we do not work hard to protect it and it would be expensive for us more as we prepare for the general elections next year."

Preaching at the African Faith Ministry International at Oforikrom Extension in Kumasi, the Reverend James Kwabena Badu, the General Overseer of the Ministry, urged the congregation to learn to live within their means.

This, he said, is the only way they can ensure the survival of their families and also have time to improve on their spiritual development.

Tema

At Tema, Rev Fr Alogsius Hoguth, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Mercy (OLAM) Catholic Church, said Christians could share the joy of Christ if "we remain peaceful citizens".

Father Hoguth asked: can you say that you share the joy of Christ when you are fighting among yourselves in your family and extend this to the community?

''The spate of clashes among people in communities in some parts of the country, defeat the joy that we are expected to share with Christ on such an eventful day as Christmas,'' he said.

Rev Fr Hoguth urged Christians to be peacemakers, adding Jesus Christ ''wants us to share peace with all men at all times''.

Sekondi-Takoradi

Thousands of Christians in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Area filled churches and other praying grounds to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Most of the churches prayed for peace in the forthcoming general elections, world peace, love and unity among nations and prosperity in the coming years.

The Reverend James Yaw Manu, head pastor of the Kwesimintsim assembly of the Christ Apostolic Church International, said in a sermon that peace and unity are the only prerequisites for a successful nation building.

He said without these values governments, individual families and churches could not achieve any meaningful impact.

Rev. Manu said chaotic situations in some West African countries should serve as a constant reminder to all Ghanaians to work for to preserve peace.

"The year 2004 has its own challenges, and we should not allow those challenges and the demands of the general elections to divide us as a people," he said.

Apostle Emmanuel Baidoo-Wilson, the General Overseer of the Berea Christian Service Ministry International at Takoradi asked Ghanaians to thank God for a peaceful year.

He called on the elderly in the society to exhibit love, understanding and patience towards the youth and assist them to make the right choices in lives.

Most Rev John Martin Darko, Catholic Bishop of the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese, appealed to Ghanaians to be honest, courageous and point out mistakes in the society even in face of persecution. "We must fight for justice, peace and love to all mankind during the Christmas and New Year festivities," he said.

Koforidua

At the St George's Cathedral, the Catholic Bishop of Koforidua, Most Rev. Charles Palmer-Buckle, told Christians that Christmas meant that God had confidence in mankind's ability to make conditions of the world better.
He advised them not to be despaired in the face of media reports but to resolve that despite the bribery and corruption, robbery and cheating, "God has faith in Ghanaians that they could make the world a better place for mankind."
"The birth of Jesus as light into the dark sinful world, should strengthen us to strive to do good without ceasing in order to overcome evil at home and workplace and everywhere we find ourselves."
At the Ascension Presbyterian Church, the Akuapem Presbytery Chairman, Rev. Charles Ahwireng, called on Christians to regard the welfare and rights of their children as paramount.
He stated that "the fact that Christ was a child means that childhood is very important to the building of a nation, saying the meaning of Christmas must remind parents of their Godly responsibility towards the nation by raising their children to become morally fit in the society.
Rev. Ahwireng urged Ghanaians to draw inspiration from the humble beginning of Jesus' birthplace and give their children the best life.

Sunyani

The Right Reverend Kwame Omane-Achamfour, Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese of the Methodist Church, on Thursday advised Christians to let virtues like humility, virginity and love permeate their lives to fulfil the essence of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Bishop Omane-Achamfour was preaching at the Wesley Cathedral in Sunyani on a Christmas Day Church Service on the theme: "Christ is born for us."
The birth of Jesus Christ as the saviour of mankind some 2,000 years ago changed the course of history of Christendom and the circumstances surrounding his birth should prove to mankind the essence of virginity, humility and love, he said.
The Bishop added that the virtues also called for peace and harmony among the citizenry.
Bishop Omane-Achamfour called on the youth to abstain from casual sex so as to protect themselves from HIV/AIDs.

Madina

At the Assemblies of God Resurrection Hour at Ashalley Botwe near Madina in Accra, the head pastor, Reverend Stephen Osei, said Christmas was a time for Christians to reflect on the significance of the birth of Christ and not the time to drink and make merry.
He said Christmas was also the time to give glory to God for giving his son Jesus Christ to die and save mankind. He urged Christians to use the Christmas season to exhibit love care and support for each other especially the unfortunate ones in the society including persons living with HIV/AIDS as Christ did for blessings to be with those who help the needy. Rev. Osei advised politicians to be mindful of their words and ensure that their messages would be of hope, peace, encouragement, and educative.
"We are one family and people therefore attacking personalities whenever you mount platforms to campaign would not lead us anywhere. It would rather destroy and tear us apart, adding, you should rather give us seasoned words full of hope and peace", he said. For the youth, Rev. Osei reminded them that they are the future leaders and they should be disciplined in all their endeavours. He advised them not to allow themselves to be influenced by bad friends, who would lead them to drinking, smoking and involve themselves in immoral acts.
"We all know of the HIV/AIDS that is gradually killing the youth, therefore, the best thing for you to do during this Christmas and New year festivities, is to abstain from premarital sex to avoid being infected.
Rev. Osei urged Christians to always support the nation in prayers for smooth elections next year.

Reverend Canon Emmanuel Mensah of Saint James Anglican Church said the Yuletide should urge Ghanaians to fight against ignorance, disease and poverty.
Preaching on the theme, "Christians the way forward," he said it is important that Christians are sympathetic and responsive to the needs of their neighbours.
Canon Mensah stressed the need for Christians to help in avoiding violence and promote peace, which is the hallmark of their call. He noted that the way forward is difficult "But we have to look forward with humility that this period brings to all of us." Canon Mensah said the birth of Christ symbolises hope and advised Christians to use the occasion not only for merry-making but to strategise as to how they can contribute effectively to national development.
At the Temple of Praise Ministries Church, Rev Alex Djan-Benneh, Minister in Charge, said the birth of Christ in a manger signified how it was brought up in a very simple and humble family but later became popular.
He advised Ghanaians to lead exemplary lives from the beginning so that they could also rise to the top in future. Rev Djan-Benneh called on Ghanaians to respect laws and policies of the government and contribute meaningfully to the political, social and economic development of the country.
With hard work and dedication to duty it is hoped that the economy will be put on a sound footing, he said.

Cape Coast

In Cape Coast, most of churches were filled to capacity and more seats had to be provided outside church premises for Christians who said prayers for the President and Ministers of state, the welfare of the needy in the society, and for peace to prevail in war-ravaged countries.
Preaching the sermon at the St Joseph's Catholic Church, Rev Fr Matthew Manu, asked Christians not to use the occasion for merry making and sharing of gifts only, but also to bring goodwill messages of peace, love and reconciliation to the nation.
He said the joy of Christmas should be translated into the real life that Jesus came to share with humanity, adding, the message of the birth of Christ will be meaningless if Christians do not see eye to eye with their neighbours".
At the Winners chapel, Pastor Nathaniel Lamptey, said Christians are favoured by Christ and stressed that the favour received should be shared with those in need.
He said since Christ obeyed the will of his father to become man, Christians should emulate his good example and do away with all social vices so as to bring peace, unity and tranquillity to the nation and the world at large.
"Let us give praise to God and be grateful for our lives and spread the good news of love, peace and joy to those who do not still know that Jesus is the saviour", he advised.
At the Global Family Church International, the pastor in charge, Pastor Cephas Biney, asked Ghanaians to use the occasion to reconcile with one another and pray for peace and for a peaceful election next year.