Christians in the Kumasi Metropolis joined the rest of the world to mark the birthday of Jesus Christ with church services.

Church auditoriums and worship centres were packed to capacity as hymnal and praise songs filled the air.

At the Adum Wesley Cathedral of the Methodist Church Ghana (MCG), the Most Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, the Presiding Bishop, appealed to the people to unite their efforts in promoting peace.

They should overcome religious, political and cultural differences and work together to calm the society, he said.

“The birth of Christ presents us with the opportunity to love and forgive one another, while we commit ourselves to good neighbourliness and lifestyles that tend to grow our nation,” he said.

The people, he said, must avoid all forms of corrupt practices to ensure discipline and sanity.

The Most Reverend Prof Asante entreated the congregation to be patriotic and work hard in the coming year to enhance productivity in all sectors of the economy.

He urged the leadership of the nation to be selfless and focus on addressing the development challenges of the nation.

Delivering the sermon at the Four Garrison District of the Church of Pentecost, Rev Collins Agyapong, urged Ghanaians to have faith and to be hopeful about the future.

He said things would not remain the same as there were good times ahead if only they would rely on God for answers to whatever difficulties they might be going through.

“Full trust and reliance on God can lead the nation out of the economic crisis it is facing,” he stated.

Christmas, he noted, called for the celebration of the “Prince of Peace” and it was important the noble values he taught were adhered to.

He advised Christians to hold on to their faith and to live the life of Christ.