Churches auditoriums fill up in Kumasi as Christians celebrate Christmas

Most church auditoriums were filled to full capacity in Kumasi on Christmas service as both regular and occasional worshipers trooped to church to commemorate the birthday of Jesus Christ. 

The increase in church attendance was also the people's recognition of the fact that today is last Sunday of the year. 

Radio Ghana’s Correspondent reports that most churches, especially the orthodox and charismatic ones defied the temporary ban placed on drumming and  noise making by the Asanteman Traditional Council on November 17, following the passing away of the Asantehemaa, Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem. 

At most of these church services, ecstatic worshippers sang and danced band and choral music amidst the waving of white handkerchiefs in a thankful manner of how far God has brought them. 

At the Bethel Presby Congregation at Atonsu, the Second Minister in charge, Reverend Isaac Dwamena Komadu, centered his Sermon on Peace. 

According to him, if society would have enjoy peace, it behooves everyone including Christians, towards it. 

Reverend Dwamena Konadu described as untenable the situation where the same people, out of the zeal for money and wealth do anything such as illegal exploitation of the natural environment through galamsey without considering the larger interest of others. 

He noted with regret the serious negative consequences of such activities on the natural environment leading to destruction of both sources of water and arable lands. 

Reverend Dwamena Konadu asked people who proffer to be stay away from any such negative practices for the good of the entire society. 

At the St. Peter Catholic church at Asuoyeboah, the Minister in charge, Rev. Father Isaac Manu, touched on the birth of Jesus Christ and is significance for mankind. 

He entreated Christians to lead Christ-like lifestyles such as alms giving to the needy as well as humility before all men. 

The Calvary Methodist Church auditorium was not able to accommodate the large crowd of the worshippers as the leadership had to erect tents outside for the excess members. 

In a sermon, the Superintendent Minister for the Amakom Circuit of the Methodist Church, Very Rev. Thomas Barfo, described the circumstances and actual birth of Jesus Christ as unique and that his birth changed many things throughout the world in accordance with biblical prophecies. 

He therefore urged Christians to continue to celebrate Jesus on Christmas.     

Christians in Tema were not left out of church celebrations to mark the birth of Christ. 

They thronged various churches mostly clad in white and other festive clothing.  

At the first Baptist Church in Tema Community five, the Resident Minister, Reverend David Kwame who preached on the theme: “Jesus our Christmas” said Christmas is a period of love, saying although every Christian should exhibit love every day in all they do, Christmas, affords them the greatest opportunity to demonstrate this love more than any other time of the year. 

Reverend Kwame said God will see Christians through all challenges as he has already planned every Christians’ life. 

He said Christ is the reason for the season and as such Christians must remember to be thankful to him always. 

He stated that Christians should have an encounter with God to be able to understand the true meaning of Christians. 

At the Apostolic Church, Tema Community Five Assembly, Pastor, Apostle Dr. Michael Kodie in a sermon on the theme: “Escaping the Snare” said the birth of Christ has enabled Christians to overcome the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eye, noting that without Christ’s birth, these snares would have led mankind to eternal doom without any means of redemption. This he said is a great cause for rejoicing. 

Preaching on the theme: “Shalom, Peace” Reverend Mrs. Hannah Odjenma Botchway of the Grace Presbyterian Church, Teshie, charged the congregation to exhibit the love of Christ by the way they live their lives. 

She urged them to forgive one another and let go for Christ is born. 

Reverend Mrs. Botchway thanked God for a successful election.

GBC