Christmas, occasion for reconciliation - Clergyman

Abesim (B/A) Dec. 25,- Elder Bernard Sakyi of the Pentecost Church at Abesim in Brong Ahafo on Monday urged Ghanaians to use the birth of Christ to reconcile with one another to be able to advance the development of the country.

He said the birth of Christ represented peace and harmony among mankind and it was incumbent on all, irrespective of religious, ethnic or political inclination to observe so.

Preaching on "The Birth of Christ" at a Christmas service of the church, he emphasized that reconciliation was very important in the development of every human institution.

He stressed that Christ came as a symbol of peace and forgiveness and urged religious bodies to preach peace among Ghanaians to ensure national stability.

Elder Sakyi cautioned that Christmas was not for only merry making but was also an occasion to meditate about the birth of Christ and appealed to Christians to change their attitude towards the celebration of the yuletide.

Preaching at the Wesley Cathedral of the Methodist Church in Sunyani, Mr. William Orleans Oduro, Lay Chairman, appealed to all to emulate the humility of the Lord Jesus Christ and avoid anti-social activities.

He said Christ brought peace and joy to mankind "and we need to emulate him so we can enjoy perpetual peace and understanding". Mr. Oduro urged Ghanaians to be disciplined and to act as responsible citizens so that social miscreants did not grind the wheels of the country's development process to a halt.

In the sermon under the theme, "Christ the Saviour is Born", Mr. Oduro noted that most of such social miscreants, including armed robbers, were from irresponsible homes and advised parents to advise and guide their children out of such activities.

He urged Ghanaians to eschew politicizing policies of the government, citing the case of the national health insurance scheme, which though a laudable idea to ensure that all Ghanaians enjoyed affordable and quality health service was being bandied about by some people as a propaganda gimmick of the government.

Christmas Reconciliation 3 Abesim (B/A)

The Reverend Father Dr. John Kofi Takyi of the Holy Spirit Cathedral of the Catholic Church in Sunyani urged Christians to be instruments of peace, love and reconciliation to make the essence of Christ's birth meaningful to the world.

Speaking on the theme, "Bringing the Good News to the World", at a Christmas service, the Reverend Father noted that the world was dominated by conflicts, hatred, misunderstanding and pain and it was the duty of every Christian to spread the good news and significance of Christ's birth.

Rev. Fr. Dr. Takyi advised Christians to eschew the acrimonious attitudes that characterized relationships in the past to help foster good neighbourliness and promote peace in the world.

He noted that Christmas was all about giving, saying, "God loved the world that he gave His only begotten son, Jesus" and entreated Ghanaians to exhibit the spirit of assisting the needy in society.