Members of the Apostolic Church, Ghana, Royal Assembly in Tema Community 11 praised God during a church service to mark the birth of Christ.

Church, carol services herald birth of Christ

Daily Graphic Dec - 29 - 2014 , 01:16

Christians across the country joined others around the world, last Thursday, to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. Church and carol services, drama sketches depicting the birth of Christ and conventions were held to celebrate the birth, 2000 years ago, of the man Christians believe is their Messiah.

The central theme of most of the messages in the various churches was on peace, reconciliation and renewal of faith in God.

The Very Rev. Rosebed Adjaottor, resident Minister of the Calvary Methodist, Community Three, Tema, in a sermon to mark the day, charged the followers of Christ to thank God for guiding and guarding them through a difficult and challenging year that was about to end, reports Albert Sam.

She said it was the grace and mercy of God that had brought the nation thus far, given the difficulties of 2014.

She, therefore, asked the congregation to remain steadfast in their belief of the doctrine of Jesus Christ and pray relentlessly towards a joyous and fulfilling 2015, that would ensure peaceful coexistence among Ghanaians.

At the St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Adenta, Severious Kale-Dery reports that on Christmas day, worshippers thronged the church to thank God for the birth of their saviour.

God’s love

In his homily, the Parish Priest of the Church, Very Rev. Fr Anthony Richard Opong, said the birth of Christ signified how much God loved the world.

He advised Christians to be at peace with one another and share with the less privileged in the society during the Christmas season.

Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor reports from Kumasi that the Parish Priest of the Saint Michael Catholic Church at Chirapatre in Kumasi, Rev. Fr Dr Felix Amofa, advised Christians not to be daunted by those who criticised the celebration of the day, as not being the birth date of Christ.

Instead, he exhorted them to be guided by the significance of the day and observe it as such.

Rev. Fr Amofa, who was preaching the sermon at the Christmas Day Mass celebration, said some Christians were down playing the significance of Christmas.

While acknowledging that December 25 was not exactly the day Jesus was born, he said the date per se should not be as important as the reason for the celebration, which is the birth of the saviour of mankind.

In Tamale, Christians defied an acute water shortage to welcome the new born baby Jesus with songs and praises in the various churches, reports Samuel Duodu.

At the Christian Mission Dunamis Church, the congregation, led by the Divine Praise Singers, the resident choir of the church, sang songs of praise and worship to signal the birth of Christ.

The Head Pastor of the church, Rev. Isaac Adjei, speaking on the topic, " The Good News", anchored on Luke 2:8-12, among other things, encouraged Ghanaians to aspire to do good things in the coming year.

Pray for nation

Rev. Adjei also urged the congregation to pray for the leaders of the nation and for a financial breakthrough for the state.

At the Unity Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Tamale, the worshippers sang, praised God and danced as they thanked God for His divine protection and provision.

In a Christmas message, Rev. Manford Wedam, the District Minister and Head of the Unity Congregation, urged Christians to live lives worthy of emulation and also continue to live in peace with their neighbours.

In Ho, the Most Rev. Francis Lodonu, the Bishop of the Ho Diocese of the Catholic Church, said the country was increasingly becoming polarised along political lines.

Corruption

Delivering a Christmas Day homily at the Sacred Heart Cathedral at Bankoe in Ho, he spoke about corruption in the country and said it could bring down the country.

He said the Christmas season was for man to reconcile with God, but it was only proper that man reconciled with his fellow man before seeking the face of God.

Ann Adjasah reports that a special church service was held at the Hope Baptist Church in Accra to celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus on Christmas day.

Members of the congregation prayed for national prosperity, continuous peace and harmony.

Preaching the sermon, the Head Pastor, Rev. Kofi Annan, urged Christians to use the birth of Christ to become his disciples.

He expressed concern that most Christians were engaging in fornication, corruption and other vices, which were drawing them away from Christ.

Rev. Annan charged pastors of the various branches to base their preachings and teachings on the Bible, which is the true word of God.