Sunyani (B/A), Dec. 25, GNA – Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Catholic Bishop of Sunyani, says it was erroneous to think that because the birth of Jesus Christ symbolized the power of light over darkness, there would be no difficulties and challenges in life.

In a homily at the Christ the King Cathedral in Sunyani on Christmas Day, he explained that poverty, hunger, misery, family break-ups, conflicts and wars were all forms of darkness being experienced by humankind.

The Bishop assured Christians that despite those difficulties and challenges, with perseverance and persistency in a society where love and respect were shown to each other, peace and orderliness were promoted instead of the practice of vices and creation of divisions, the darkness could be overcome.

Earlier in a sermon on the 24th night service also at the Christ the King Cathedral, the Bishop said, “We do not celebrate Christmas as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ but rather as the solemn commemoration of His presence with us today”.

The Bishop stated that Jesus Christ has come to reconcile us but not to disunite us stressing that insults of political personalities and political parties attacking each other could all not help to maintain peace in the country.

Most Rev. Gyamfi said this was because peace was not just an automatic attainment but could only be attained after working towards it.

He cautioned therefore that if the actions and inactions of the populace led to the destruction of the prevailing peace in the country, it would be difficult to reverse its untold repercussions.

According to the Bishop, working towards the achievement of peace in 2012 general elections was not the sole responsibility of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) but all political parties and interest groups.

Very Reverend Oswald S.K. Boakye, Superintendent Minister of Wesley Cathedral of the Methodist Church, preaching at a Christmas service at the Cathedral exhorted Ghanaians to seek peace in their homes and workplaces.

He stressed that no human could bestow peace in the country or the world and that it was only God who could do that for mankind, which He did through His Son Jesus Christ.

Very Rev Boakye, who is the synod secretary of the Sunyani diocese of the Church, in his sermon on “Peace” stressed that it was neither riches, academic qualifications nor positions in life that would bring peace to a person and the family.

“Only Jesus gives peace, which is linked with God’s salvation in Jesus Christ”, he said.

Very Rev Boakye told the large congregation that peace “teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions and to lead self-controlled upright and godly lives in this present age”, which he quoted from the Book of Titus chapter 2 verse 12.

Pastor Yaw Osei Owusu, Brong-Ahafo Regional Overseer of Deeper Life Bible Church, advised Christians to always seek the presence of God to overcome the passions of the world.

Preaching on the theme, “Sanctification and victory over-self”, on Sunday to climax a four-day December retreat of the church, Pastor Osei-Owusu said Christians were chosen by God to lead holy and godly lives.

The Christmas retreat was on the theme, “More than conquerors in times like this”, and was attended by more than 1,500 members of the Church drawn from the various districts in the Region.

Pastor Osei-Owusu exhorted Christians that the Bible demanded of them to be sanctified to enable them to live victorious lives in this “crooked and perverse generation”.

He however added that the sanctification experience had a divine grace and advised Christians to desire for it, abstain from all appearances of evil and consecrate themselves for God to grant them the experience.

“Sanctification is not for sinners”, Pastor Osei-Owusu emphasized and charged Christians who still wallowed in sin to repent from their sinful passions.