The Member of Parliament (MP) for Prestea Huni-Valley Constituency in the Western Region, Lawyer Barbara Oteng-Gyasi has wished Ghanaians especially Christians a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in advance.

She urged Christians to give thanks to God and expect God's continued blessings in the coming year.

In a Christmas message issued by the MP indicated "As we celebrate God’s love in sending us His son, we must also endeavour to love one another - as well as our homeland Ghana by sacrificing for its development".

She also called on Ghanaians to remember the vulnerable in their communities and extend love and joy to the them.

"May we especially remember the vulnerable in our community, and extend the love, joy, and goodwill of our celebrations to them", she urged.

The MP who is also the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources stated "On this day, the Christians of our community join Christians all over the world to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. And for people of all faiths, the end of the year is the time to thank God for all the blessings He bestowed on us throughout 2018".

She remembered "Let us look back on the year with gratitude as we expect God’s continued blessings in the coming New Year".

Christmas Day is a public holiday in many of the world's nations.

It is celebrated religiously by a majority of Christians, as well as culturally by many non-Christians and forms an integral part of the holiday season.

For most Christians, the day is celebrated to mark the birth of Jesus Christ their saviour.

In the traditional Christmas narrative in the New Testament, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. When Joseph and Mary arrived in the city, the inn had no room and so they were offered a stable where the baby Jesus was born. Angels proclaimed the news to of the birth of Jesus to shepherds who then further disseminated the information.

Although the month and date of Jesus' birth are unknown, by the early-to-mid fourth century the Western Christian Church had fixed the date of Christmas as 25 December, a date that has been adopted worldwide.

On Christmas Day some Christians attend church service in the morning. The day is usually marked with merry making among friends and families.

Below is the full statement

HON. LAWYER BARBARA OTENG-GYASI (MRS.) WISHES ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

Today is Christmas Day and I bring warm wishes of the season to Nananom and the good people of Prestea Huni Valley Constituency.

On this day, the Christians of our community join Christians all over the world to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. And for people of all faiths, the end of the year is the time to thank God for all the blessings He bestowed on us throughout 2018.

As we celebrate God’s love in sending us His son, we must also endeavour to love one another - as well as our homeland Ghana by sacrificing for its development. May we especially remember the vulnerable in our community, and extend the love, joy, and goodwill of our celebrations to them.

Let us look back on the year with gratitude as we expect God’s continued blessings in the coming New Year.

I wish all Ghanaians, and especially my dear constituents of Prestea Huni Valley, a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Long live Ghana!

Signed!

Lawyer Barbara Oteng Gyasi

Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and MP for Prestea Huni-Valley