Accra, Dec. 21, GNA – Concerts of harmonious Christmas carols and hymns interspersed with nine short bible lessons are kick-starting the 2011 Christmas festivities across the country.

The readings capture the story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus Christ from the book of Genesis, the prophetic books and the Gospels.

Church choirs, corporate choirs, gospel and secular artistes lead the performances, which sometimes feature choreography and drama.

Orthodox and charismatic churches and even secular organizations have devoted special days to hold the event, dubbed: “The Festival Nine Lessons and Carols” to herald the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25.

A Ghana News Agency monitoring team has observed over the period that public and private institutions as well as corporate entities are now keenly competing in the event, which used to be the preserve of the Church

At the Harvest Chapel International Headquarters in Accra, the GNA observed that the night was marked with an innovation, as the nine lessons were read in French, German, Arabic, Chinese, English, Akwapim Twi and Ga.

The scriptures were from Genesis 3: 8–15; 17–19; Genesis 22: 15–18; Isaiah 9: 2; 6–7; Isaiah 11: 1–3a; 4a; 6–9; Luke 1: 26–35; 38; Luke 2: 1; 3–7; Luke 2: 8–16; Matthew 2: 1–12; and John 1: 1–14.

The Evergreen Harvest Gospel Choir, The Youth Choir, and French Choir led the large congregation to sing carols including: "Remember, O Thou Man," "Angels from the Realms of Glory," "In Dulci Jubilo," "Noel Sing We Now All and Some," and "The Lamb".

Other carols were: "A Spotless Rose is Blowing," "I Sing of a Maiden," "The Night when She First Gave Birth," "Sweet Baby, Sleep! What Ails My Dear?" "What Sweeter Music can We Bring," "Illuminare Jerusalem," "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly," "Glory, Alleluia to the Christ Child."

However, hymns like: "O Come, All Ye Faithful," "Unto Us is Born a Son," and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," were interlaced with Ghanaian and Chinese Gospel songs.

In a message of exhortation, the Reverend Kwesi Dickson, Senior Associate Pastor of Harvest Chapel International, explained that the purpose of the season was to remember the Holy covenant between mankind and God; to serve God without fear but in Holiness and in all righteousness.

He tasked Christians to infect others with the joy of the season – “Do what the Lord wants you to do; stay at where He wants you to be; and keep on praying irrespective of the circumstances, as surely the Lord will come through to fulfill His words.”

Rev. Dickson stated that: “We should not base our rejoicing on circumstances, temporal bottlenecks or human hindrances and difficulties but look-up during the season of hope with faith in the Lord.