Cape Coast, Dec. 26, GNA - Christians in the Cape Coast municipality on Saturday, held church services to mark the birth of Christ, more than 2,000 years ago, but many of the churches, were half empty, as most members of the congregation were probably waiting to attend church service on Sunday.

In a sermon at the St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, Reverend Father Michael Ocran, said the fervent preparations that people have made towards Christmas, would be meaningless if they do not eschew social vices and turn to God, who is all loving and merciful.

He stressed that the only favour or respect people can show to God for the birth and life of Christ, is for them to change their ways and "totally commit themselves to His service.

Rev. Fr Ocran, who is also the Cathedral Administrator, told the congregation that as followers of Christ, Christians should reflect on what Christ came to do on earth, and urged them not to depend on earthly things for their salvation but to look up to God for all the graces they need for their spiritual growth.

He advised Christians to use the celebrations to reflect on ways they could develop personally and contribute their quota to the nation's development as a whole, and thanked Ghanaians for their comportment, during and after the elections.

Prayers were said for the President, church, members of the council of state, ministers of state and for the development of the nation.

At the Maranatha Assemblies of God Church, the resident pastor, Reverend Noah Adunkwah, exhorted Christians to share the same love Christ shared with mankind this Yuletide and the years ahead. He said the humility, love and caring grace Jesus exhibited to mankind, was because of the "great love He had for mankind, and we should also do same to one another" to bring about peace in the world. At the Wesley Methodist Cathedral, Rev. Isaac Boateng also in a sermon said the birth of Christ signifies peace, love and humility and therefore, urged Christians to exhibit the same qualities to one another.

Rev. Richard Ampadu-Duku of the Victory Bible Church International, also appealed to Ghanaians to use the occasion to forgive and reconcile with one another as Jesus did for man.

At Elmina, Rev. Felix Matthew Bassaw of the Bethel Methodist Church and Reverend Francis Charles Mensah, of the Osam-Pinanko Zion Church both in their separate sermons, called on Ghanaians to be thankful to God for peaceful elections.

They urged Ghanaians to let the peace and love of God rule in their hearts at all times.

On Friday night, at a night service to usher in the day, Rev. Wilberforce Wireko, presiding elder of Varrick A.M.E. Zion Church, appealed to Christians not to use the Christmas for only merry making but also use for reconciliation with friends and relatives to promote peace in the country.

He also appealed to Christians to lead exemplary lives and follow the footsteps of Christ, and called on all Ghanaians, to unite and forge ahead in development, now that the elections are over.

He congratulated President Kufuor on his re-election, and also congratulated the flag bearers of the other political parties, who willingly accepted the election results. 26 Dec. 04