Joyous Xmas to all

Once again Christmas the season of hope, love, sharing and forgiveness is with us. The spiritual significance of Christmas remains the message of humanity and love for all.

The birth of Jesus Christ we celebrate on Christmas Day paves the way for the liberation of humankind with the new teaching of universal love, tolerance and understanding that He gave to the world.

The birth of Christ also symbolises a very deep significant truth of spiritual life. Indeed, for us as Christians, Jesus Christ is the very personification of Divinity.

This is also because he was born at a time when ignorance, superstition, greed, hatred and hypocrisy prevailed in the land, purity forgotten and morality neglected.

Therefore, throughout the world, Christians often look forward to correcting these ills of society during Christmas and celebrating the day not only with our family and friends but also doing good to even the strangers.

Indeed, Christmas is the time to show love to all around us and make merry because the Saviour of the world is born. This philosophy is so entrenched that even when one has to work, it is seen as punishment and a denial from making merry and being with family and friends.

Unfortunately, this year’s Christmas will be celebrated under different circumstances. It is the year in which we experienced the novel global pandemic — the COVID-19 — which has restricted our movement in many ways.

Just when the world is celebrating the discovery of vaccines to deal with this deadly pandemic, it has been hit with news of the discovery of a new variant of the disease in the United Kingdom and other countries.

Certainly, we cannot celebrate Christmas in the same old way and manner we are used to. It will be celebrated with caution, because if we celebrate without the requisite safety protocols, it could have dire consequences not only for us as a family but the country as a whole.

We, therefore, remind all to continue to adhere to the safety health protocols to keep safe and be free from the deadly pandemic.

At the same time, we are also convinced that the message of Christmas cannot be lost on us in these trying moments of our national life. Coming out from a very competitive general election, we believe that the Christmas message of peace, love, tolerance, understanding and hope cannot be wished away.

Particularly of great importance is the need for our political actors to hold this dear country of ours together in unity, peace and progress. After all, we are one people, with a common destiny, and as we celebrate Christmas, we need not lose sight of this but endeavour to be one another’s keeper.

We do not expect any Ghanaian to celebrate Christmas in bitterness or in a way that will undermine the peace and stability of the country. Let us celebrate the season with love and hope for a greater tomorrow.

The Daily Graphic reminds all that Christmas is about forgetting self and thinking of those who have no Christmas and desire our love and care. It also means abandoning our comfort zones to cater for those who need help and desire the message of peace, love and hope.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of hope, love, tolerance and peace, as epitomised in Jesus Christ, we appeal to all Ghanaians to let this message resonate in everything they do over the period and thereafter.

We particularly entreat motorists – drivers and pedestrians – to be careful, as any recklessness on their part can lead to needless loss of lives and the maiming of people.

We wish you a Joyous and Merry Christmas.