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They include where we have come from or celebrated ancestor kings and the customs and values that have shaped the way we do things here. Some of the stories are most critical.

We invite you to join us at the fireside as we tell and retell a most essential story of the birth of Jesus who was born in Bethlehem, the city of

David to fulfil what prophets in the Old Testament had said about His birth. He is to come as Redeemer and Saviour. Listen carefully to this amazing story.

Jesus Christ is the reason for the Christmas season. We tell and relate the story of His birth, especially at Christmas. And this is worldwide. It is extraordinary news. God-the-Son becomes human to live among us humans for the grand purpose of reconciling humans with God. We must have peace with God. St Augustine says, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.“ We must have union of friendship with Christ to experience real fulfillment.

In telling and retelling the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, we turn to a curious and precious Bible text: “because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the Morning-Sun shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79 ESV).

We would like to draw attention to three things in this Bible text:
• Divine love and compassion.
• Divine visitation
• Divine intervention.

First, Divine love and compassion: “because of the tender mercy of our God”. Something supremely unique is about to happen to humanity. It is God’s love that drew the salvation plan for humans. It is because of God’s unfailing love that He still reaches out to us to bring us back to close friendship and fellowship with Him. Because that was His original intent when He created humans in His own image. We were created as icons of God with capacity to mirror and reflect the image, beauty and character of God. But in the fall of humans in the garden of Eden, a most horrible consequence came upon us because of human rebellion and sin. But God’s grace and love seeks and pursues us. His beauty and image in humans must be restored! It is because of this “tender mercy” of God, His love unfailing that humans are not consumed or left to grope in a life of sin and darkness.

It is because of God’s love that Christ was born so we can experience forgiveness and be saved, and have hope as individuals; as the Church; and as a nation.
Second, is the announcement of “Divine visitation” to humanity: “the Morning Sun (the Morning Star) shall visit us from on high”. (Luke 1:78b

ESV). This is absolutely “Good News”. This is the greatest news ever told – that the bright Morning Star, Jesus the Christ, shall visit us from Heaven. We note that the visitation is from Heaven. And this time, not by an Angel but by God-the-Son Himself! It is amazing grace to experience this kind of Divine visitation. The Divine visitation of God in human form began with the birth of Jesus Christ.

At this Christmas, may you and I personally experience Divine visitation so that we can more fully live the abundant life Christ gives; and to better serve Him and this nation, and the nations. May the Church in Ghana at this Christmas experience Christ’s Divine visitation so that she can better serve Christ and His Kingdom, and as true salt and light in society. At Christmas 2021, may the Parliament of Ghana experience Divine visitation for the sake of the total common good of her people.

At this Christmas, may the Executive arm of government experience Divine visitation. May the Lord Jesus visit every sector of our national life with His Divine grace so that we will know Him and for us to live in true dignity and for our total wellbeing.

Third, there is Divine intervention:
• “to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death” (Luke 1:79a ESV).
• “to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:79b ESV)

This must be special good news!! The Morning Star, the Lord Jesus, will shine His divine light into our various dark situations individually. He will shine Divine light into Church life. He will shine light into the dark life and dark practices in the different sectors of our national life.

The Lord Jesus says: “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12 NLT). Indeed, in His light we see light.

We need Christ’s intervention to give us relief from our health, economic and social strains and stresses. We need intervention to deal with the numerous negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, the border-town regions must breathe economically; they must not continue to suffer indignity, economic hardship and near starvation situations. Our life and the economy in our country must rise to a more healthy standard. Jesus brings help to the total person.

In addition, the Lord will “guide our feet into the way of peace”. We need personal peace with God. We need national peace and unity for economic growth and progress. We need global end to COVID-19 pandemic. We need peace in our neighbouring countries and on the continent of Africa. We need world peace. Jesus, Prince of Peace, give us Divine peace.

The author is a consultant in authentic Christian Spirituality and Discipleship and former CEO of the Scripture Union Ghana.