T'di: Christians mark birth of Christ

Takoradi, Dec. 25, GNA - Churches in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis were filled to capacity on Saturday as hundreds of Christians gathered in prayer to mark the birth of Jesus Christ.
Those who for one reason or another could not attend church service remained at home, while others went to cerebrate the event at the beaches with their families and friends.
The common themes that run through the sermons at the various churches was the need for the people to avoid sin, accept Jesus as the saviour of mankind and be one another's keeper.
Preaching at the Takoradi Star of the Sea Cathedral, Most Reverend Joseph Martin Darko, catholic Bishop of the Sekondi-Takoradi diocese admonished Christians to strive hard to become peacemakers wherever they find themselves because peace making is an injunction of the Gospel. He said the birth of Jesus Christ was an opportunity for man to renew his faith in the Lord for salvation adding that, those who follow the footsteps of Jesus must live with others in peace always.
Most Rev. Darko said in order to achieve peace and harmony in the society; the people should eschew acts that threaten peace, which include greed for power, money and wealth.
At the Takoradi Trinity Presbyterian Church, Reverend Joseph Anang Obodai, Chairman of Western Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, called on the people to respect law, order and authority. He said those who find themselves in leadership positions must live in humility, since that role is a "gift and privilege from God to serve mankind.
Reverend Obodai said Jesus was born to save the world and therefore, Christmas should be made to foster unity and love between man and his creator.
He said Christmas should be a period for "removing all bitterness, accommodating and appreciative of one another".
"Christmas should also remind us to be serious and be committed to our work and exhibit high sense of dedication, honesty and accountability in whatever we do".
Preaching at a spiritual revival at Essikado near Sekondi, Reverend Winfred Azornu, Kwesimintsim sub-district Pastor of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana asked Christians and members of other religions, particularly Muslims to live in peace.
He said Islam means peace and Jesus devoted a great part of his ministry to preaching peace and love.
Reverend Azornu, therefore, appealed to people in the northern regions to allow peace to enhance development.
He said, "Since the family is a unit that cannot be divided against itself, our sentiments on ethnicity must be geared towards that unity". He said it is only in an atmosphere of peace and harmony that the resources of the country can be harnessed for sustained development.