General News of Monday, 1 January 2007

Source: GNA

The New Year will be what we make of it-Moderator

Ho, Jan. 1, GNA- The Right Reverend Dr. Livingstone Buama, Moderator of the Evangelical Presbyterian (E.P.) Church on Monday exhorted Christians to see in Christmas and New Year opportunities for renewal of faith towards good works.

"Celebrating Christmas without Christ is crisis" and that "New Year will be new to the extent that we make it new", he said. Rt. Rev. Buama was delivering his New Year messages at the watch night service at Elorm E.P. Church Ho Bankoe to usher in the year 2007. He said when Christians put the wrong meanings and actions into Christmas then the aftermath would be misery "so Christ should be at the centre of all that we do at this time".

Rt. Rev. Buama said in such a situation "others would say shame to us because they would see us as white washed tombs as we sing and praise God".

Regarding New Year, Rt. Rev. Buama said its outcome depended of commitment by Christians to live the Christian personality of love for all without discrimination.

He said New Year resolutions were like debts that must be redeemed with complete and positive change of life in order to attract God's blessings.

"This is a year of goodwill towards others and not evil wishes, if you are cursed offer God's blessings, smile when people frown at you and wish God's grace to all", Rt. Rev. Buama exhorted. He implored Christians, "Let us not give a lie to our faith and worship by our actions", instead every Christian should say and live in such a manner as to show that "if it will be me the New Year will be really new".